Here's why BJP leaders, including Modi, are donating Rs. 1,000
What's the story
In a bid to improve transparency in elections, BJP President Amit Shah on Monday urged workers and well-wishers to donate money to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Soon after Shah spoke on RSS ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya's death anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi donated Rs. 1,000 to the party fund.
PM Modi said BJP started a movement of clean politics in the country.
Idea
On Samarpan Diwas, BJP asks people to donate money
The saffron party observed Samarpan Diwas on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya's death anniversary and the top brass chose an important day to push its idea of 'clean politics'.
Shah said the BJP should run on donations from party workers and not on the money of 'builders, contractors and those with black money'.
He added BJP will guide other parties on the path of honesty.
Statement
BJP doesn't run on donations by workers, but should: Shah
Shah confirmed the party doesn't run on donations from party workers as of now, but stressed this should change.
"If the party starts running from the money of money bags, builders, contractors, those with black money, then it will malign our means to realize our goals," Shah said.
Shah also called for a public debate focusing on bringing down election expenses and improving transparency.
Donations
PM Modi and Biplab Deb donate money, urge others
The words of BJP president got a major boost after PM Modi tweeted that he donated Rs. 1,000.
"BJP is starting a movement #SamarpanDivas to further transparency and clean money in politics, (sic)" he tweeted.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb also supported the initiative by tweeting, "Urging all to donate to @BJP4India. One can make these donations in an easy way. (sic)"
Twitter Post
PM Modi donates Rs. 1,000; shares receipt
Deen Dayal Ji emphasised on honesty in public life. Today on his Punya Tithi, BJP is starting a movement #SamarpanDivas to further transparency and clean money in politics. Urging you all to donate to the Party. The NaMo App is an easy way to do so. I too made my contribution. pic.twitter.com/k5DCukrH4X
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2019
Looking back
In October last year, Shah started a similar initiative
Notably, this isn't the first time Shah has called for transparency. In October last year, he urged party workers and well-wishers to donate any amount between Rs. 5 and Rs. 1,000 to BJP.
"Keeping in line with our values of ushering in transparency in public life, the BJP has started an initiative of seeking microdonations from our karyakartas," he had said.
Twitter Post
Shah shares details of donation, asks cadres to follow suit
आज 'समर्पण दिवस' के अवसर पर मैंने NaMo app के माध्यम से संगठन को अपना डोनेशन दिया।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 11, 2019
मैं सभी कार्यकर्ताओं से अपील करता हूँ कि आप भी NaMo app के माध्यम से पार्टी को 5 रूपए से लेकर 1000 रुपए तक डोनेट कर सकते हैं।
आप इस लिंक के माध्यम से भी डोनेशन दे सकते हैंhttps://t.co/EWBrfteE2s pic.twitter.com/ArxrWg3t2t