BJP trying to mop up Rs 5000 cr to deal with corona crisis

The Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to make the best use of its organisational structure to mop up a whopping Rs 5000 crore to deal with the impact of the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The party has asked all its state presidents to work on a mission mode in this regard. BJP general secretaries are also reviewing the funds coming to PM-CARES from the states where they are working as in-charges.

Sources in the BJP said that the work to collect funds is going on at a war footing up to the district level. National president J.P. Nadda is himself monitoring the campaign. Sources said he is talking to state level functionaries through video conferencing almost on a daily basis. The BJP believes the corona crisis has presented a big opportunity to run a relief campaign.

To achieve a target of Rs 5000 crore, the BJP is making use of its network. On the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president Nadda, the BJP has been able to mop up about Rs 400 crore from its MPs. The BJP's 303 Lok Sabha and 83 Rajya Sabha MPs have contributed Rs 1 crore each to their respective constituencies. They have also contributed their salaries to the PM-CARES Fund.

Apart from this, there are about 1400 MLAs and MLCs, who have also pledged contributions to PM= CARES. Party sources said it is trying to mobilise about Rs 800 crore from its MLAs and MLCs. Some of the party's allies in the states and Centre have also pledged their support to the fund.

A top BJP functionary told IANS, "Some people are raising questions about the MPLAD and MLALAD funds being diverted to this fund. I want to tell them this is a baseless allegation. The government fund can be used for public good. MPs and MLAs are also contributing from their salaries. This is an unprecedented situation."

The BJP leadership has asked its 18 crore members to donate Rs 100 each to the PM-CARES Fund. This will come to around Rs 1800 crore, "Rs 100 is for the normal members of the party. Those who are active in the party can contribute more, up to Rs 2-4 lakh," a BJP source said, adding that party functionaries have been asked to get in touch with top businessmen or industrialists in their area to mobilise more funds.

The party has also activated its cadres to provide food and shelter to at least five needy people each. "BJP will not let anybody sleep hungry at this time of the crisis. Our each member will feed at least five such people who have lost their livelihood due to lockdown, which has been imposed to rein in the highly contagious coronavirus," said a BJP leader.