Why India's Grand Old Party Congress is collecting Rs 138
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge today inaugurated 'Donate for Desh' crowdfunding campaign. The campaign's primary objective is to «empower the party to create an India rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities».
Kharge emphasized the unprecedented nature of this fundraising initiative for the Congress, drawing parallels to Mahatma Gandhi's approach during the freedom struggle.
He remarked, «It's the first time that Congress is asking people for donations for the nation… If you work only by depending on the rich people, then you have to follow their policies. Mahatma Gandhi also took donations from the public during the freedom struggle.»
The initiation of the campaign coincides with the completion of 138 years by the Congress party.
The Congress website's payment link encourages donors to contribute amounts of Rs 138, Rs 1,380, or Rs 13,800, although contributors have the option to specify a different amount.
Addressing the media, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal stated yesterday that the crowdfunding endeavor draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's historic 'Tilak Swaraj Fund,' introduced in 1920-21.
To promote the campaign, all state Congress chiefs have been instructed to raise awareness. The online phase of the drive will be predominant until the party's foundation day on December 28, after which Congress volunteers will conduct door-to-door visits to secure contributions, with a minimum target of Rs 138.
The Congress had previously launched an outreach-cum-crowdfunding campaign in 2018, preceding the last Lok Sabha election, but it failed to gain significant traction.
Kharge kick-started the campaign by contributing Rs 1 lakh 38 thousand.
