New Delhi, January 13: BJP leader Nalin Kohli on Monday slammed Delhi Chief Minister Atishi over her crowdfunding campaign for the upcoming assembly elections, questioning the move amid AAP's ongoing corruption charges in the liquor and excise scams. Kohli also alleged that the campaign could be a cover-up.
Speaking to ANI, Kohli said, "Anyone is entitled to crowdfund and say they are the most honest people, but the AAP which came under the great banner of India Against Corruption, spoke against corruption, is itself facing serious corruption charges in the liquor scam and excise scam in Delhi. Private parties seem to have benefited and are currently being investigated. Amidst all of this if you suddenly say you have no money and you need crowdfunding, obviously people are going to wonder if it's just a cover-up."
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi launched a crowdfunding campaign to support her assembly election campaign, setting a target of Rs40 lakh. Within just six hours after asking people to fund her assembly election campaign, she raised more than Rs 15 lakh through her online portal on Sunday.
Atishi is contesting from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency.
"People donated money to support Aam Admi Party's honest politics. We don't take money from big businessmen for elections. AAP government works for the common people. For my election from Kalkaji, I am launching a crowdfunding campaign for Rs 40 lakh, which I need for the election. People can donate any amount they want," Atishi told reporters here on Sunday.
Atishi emphasised that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has always relied on public donations to fund its election campaigns, refusing to accept money from big businessmen. She recalled how the AAP won previous elections with "small donations" from the people.
Announcing the campaign on her social media account, she mentioned how being a young educated woman, she has been able to maintain a career in politics through the support of the people.
"As a young, educated woman, your belief and donations have enabled me to imagine a career in politics--a path I couldn't have walked alone. Now, as we face another election campaign, I need your support once again. Please contribute to my crowdfunding campaign," said Atishi in a post.
AAP leader Reena Gupta pointed out that Atishi, who presented a budget of Rs 70,000 crore, is likely the first sitting CM in the country's history to seek crowdfunding for her election campaign.
AAP leader Reena Gupta told ANI, "Since its formation, AAP has collected funds from the public to contest elections."
The Delhi assembly polls will be held in a single phase on February 5 and the counting of votes will take place on February 8.
The Congress, which was in power for 15 consecutive years in Delhi, has suffered setbacks in the last two assembly elections and has failed to win any seat. In contrast, the AAP dominated the 2020 assembly elections by winning 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP got only eight seats.
