News Politics National AAP collects over Rs 7 crore in 50 days

AAP collects over Rs 7 crore in 50 days

New Delhi: Rickshaw pullers to non-resident Indians (NRIs) are among the swell of people who have donated more than Rs.7 crore to the AAP coffers in just 50 days to fight the coming Lok Sabha

NRIs were enthusiastic donors, Dey, who sits in the party's Hanuman Road office told IANS. Most pay online - a preferred mode even for many Indians.

"They (NRIs) donate in large numbers," he said, adding the party did not have precise statistics. He said foreign contributions are mostly being made online.

According to Dey, a renewed donation drive began Dec 12, four days after the one-year-old AAP posted a stunning performance in the Delhi elections, bagging 28 of the 70 seats. As it became clear that the Bharatiya Janata Party would not be able to form a government despite winning 31 seats, monetary support to the AAP -- which took office Dec 28 -- began to steadily climb.

"For the Delhi election, we had put a cap on the collection at Rs.20 crore. We stopped taking money Nov 17 when the collection touched Rs.20 crore," Dey said.

As 2014 dawned, the AAP hit upon a novel idea - soliciting Rs.2,014 each from donors. Hundreds responded in India and beyond.