On Monday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge contributed Rs 1,38,000 to his party's newly launched crowdfunding campaign. As the transaction unfolded, Kharge humorously remarked, "Ek mahine ki tankhwa gayi (one month's salary is gone)." This lighthearted comment, however, drew swift taunts from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had previously criticized the Congress for its crowdfunding initiative. The BJP took to Twitter, sharing a video clip of Kharge's donation with the infectious 'moye moye' track playing in the background.
In response to the video, the BJP commented, "After looting the country, they are now appealing to the public for donations, but just see their attitude yourself." This exchange marked another instance of political banter between the two parties.
Delving into the context of the crowdfunding campaign, the Congress initiated a nationwide drive titled 'Donate for Desh' to accumulate resources for the party in preparation for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Ajay Maken, a prominent Congress leader, outlined the campaign's structure, stating that individuals above the age of 18 could contribute a minimum of Rs 138 or opt for multiples such as Rs 1,380, Rs 13,800, and so forth.
Providing additional insight, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal explained that the inspiration behind the crowdfunding initiative stemmed from Mahatma Gandhi's historic 'Tilak Swaraj Fund,' launched over a century ago in 1920-21. This historical connection was emphasized to underscore the party's commitment to grassroots funding, drawing parallels to Gandhi's principles of self-sufficiency and community support. The crowdfunding endeavor, while subject to political commentary, aligns with Congress's strategy to engage the public in contributing to the party's financial resources for the forthcoming electoral challenges.
