BJP orders internal probe as poll fund swindling charges snowball

CHENNAI: Facing complaints from party candidates and district-level functionaries across the State that a large portion of the funds that were meant to be given as a stipend to booth committees ahead of the Lok Sabha election was swindled, the State leadership of the BJP has ordered a detailed probe, sources said.

Multiple sources from State headquarters Kamalalayam told DT Next that there are complaints that pointspersons, district-level leaders, and, in some cases, even candidates siphoned off the money that the national leadership allotted for booth committee workers and other poll-related works. In one instance, the matter has even escalated into a police complaint.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a booth committee member in the city said he was not given the amount that was due. “When my colleagues and I asked them, the leaders promised us that the money would be disbursed a few days before the election. But they didn’t give even a single penny. So, we didn’t do booth work on the day of polling,” he said.

On April 20, the day after polling, U Muthumanickam, BJP Chennai SouthEast district general secretary, filed a complaint that he was facing threats from a gang led by OBC wing leader AD Tikaram over monetary dispute. Kamalalayam sources said that the functionaries threatened Muthumanickam for not providing them with election money.

When asked about this, senior leader and BJP’s Chennai South candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan told DT Next, “I can’t comment, as I am not in the right position to address the issues. But, I feel very guilty for such unpleasant incidents in my constituency. I ensured good food, tea and refreshments for those who worked with me on the battleground. But it is sad

that even such support did not reach the cadre.”

A State-level functionary from northern Tamil Nadu alleged that leaders at various levels hoarded the money. “As they were not paid till April 18, there were no booth committee members on election day in many constituencies,” the person said.

A BJP candidate from south TN countered that State-level leaders also embezzled crores of rupees. “If high-command wants to investigate, it should first probe them. There may be a problem in some places. But, it is unacceptable to blame all the candidates,” the candidate said.