Cash crunch plagues Cong. election campaign in State

Its fund woes stem from IT dept. decision to block party from accessing bank accounts for belatedly filing 201718 returns. Fund issues will make rallies, roadshows few and far between

The Congress’ Lok Sabha election campaign in the State is facing a cash crunch. On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan admitted that the party did not have money to buy “a glass of lime juice for election workers.”

The Congress’ cash woes stem from the Income Tax (IT) department’s decision to block the party from accessing its bank accounts for belatedly filing the 201718 tax returns. A cash shortage will likely manifest in national leaders and star campaigners scaling down their campaign itinerary in the State. It will pressure overstressed candidates to shore up resources to keep their campaigns on track. A depleted election war chest will make massive rallies and highprofile roadshows few and far between. Losing the political money fight at the hustings could yield more propaganda space to rivals, demoralise workers, and deprive the disadvantaged party of the glitter of a colourful and healthy election campaign.

The Bharatiya

Janata

Party and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) seem to have a cash edge over the Congress. The BJP’s 10yearincumbency advantage has given it sufficient time and latitude to muster resources to fund its electoral operations.

Crowdsourcing

However, the Congress is poised to take the issue to the people. It hopes to replenish its election war chest by encouraging people to make trifling donations to the party’s election effort. Crowdsourcing and printing smallcontribution coupons are options.

It believes the impending fundraising campaign will create voter sympathy and yield political and electoral dividends in the Lok Sabha polls. With time running out, replenishing the election chest at short notice might be an uphill task for the party.

Congress hopes to raise funds through donations from people

Support

Congress working committee member Shashi Tharoor said: “the party is unable to give us the kind of support we would have liked. We have, nonetheless, very loyal and hardworking workers who are doing what they can and when the Election Commission allows us to raise funds from people, we will do so.” He expressed confidence that the public will not let the Congress campaign stumble because of a lack of money.