As the debate over black money and demonetisation is getting trenchant with each passing day, now the questions are being raised over sources of political funding of various political parties.
According to the latest report, it has come to light that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the top party with unknown sources of donations. In the year 2014 and 2015, BJP received 60 percent of its donation from anonymous sources.
If the data between the year 2013 and 2015 is viewed, the party received approximately Rs 977.2 crore from unknown sources.
Interestingly, as per Section 29C of the Representation of People Act, 1951, all donations made to political parties by any individual or company in excess of Rs 20,000 should be reported to the Election Commission along with the name of the person, his company and address.
However, if the donations are less than Rs 20,000, the parties don't need to disclose the identity of the contributor. According to data-journalism portal Factly.in, based on data from the Association for Democratic Reforms, the BJP tops the list of parties receiving donations from such sources.
Second in the list is Congress having received Rs 969 crore during the same time period from anonymous sources. Meanwhile, BSP received over Rs 141 crore, and the CPI (M) got over Rs 120 crore.
There is no doubt that PM Modi wants to end black money from the country which led to the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes but what about weeding out corruption from political parties.
Given the recent scenario where reports of ticket selling at whopping amounts emerge every day, it is important to keep eagle's eye on where the money is coming from and where it is being used. PM Modi should initiate this from his own party, BJP which is right now on top of the list of parties receiving income from unknown sources.