The police seized Rs. 1 crore from a vehicle in Amravati no Sunday
Two days after cash worth Rs. 1 crore was seized from a vehicle in Amravati ahead of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Raosaheb Shekhawat, Congress MLA from the district and President Pratibha Patil's son, on Tuesday said the money was meant for party candidates from economically weaker sections.
The State Election Commission has taken a serious view of the matter and called for a report from the Municipal Commissioner and District Collector.
Speaking to The Hindu over phone from Amravati, Mr. Shekhawat said: “We had asked the party, that is, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee to give us funds for the candidates. With the 50 per cent quota for women, many new faces have entered the poll fray. These are housewives and social workers from poor or economically weaker sections. We have also put up many young candidates who are not financially sound.”
Mr. Shekhawat said the party had prepared a letter stating that Rs. 1 lakh would be given for each candidate. However, there was no one to collect the letter from the Mumbai office. The cash was seized while the letter was still lying in the office.
He said the party had faxed the letter to him, which he had submitted along with his own letter to them.
“We have 87 candidates, which comes to Rs. 87 lakh and the balance amount was to be used for staging rallies and meetings and on logistics like loudspeakers and vehicles. I did not know how the said amount was going to reach us. The police said that funds were misappropriated. When they seized the cash, I called the office to fax the letter to me. All the proof has been submitted to the police.”
However, the cash has to be recovered from the court. “We have appointed legal experts to deal with the court matter. After giving the letters, which is sufficient proof, the police should have released the amount, but they told us to approach the court. This is unnecessary and has complicated matters.”
“It is 100 per cent legal money. Every party gives funds,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has called upon the Commission to take strict action against those involved.
The two persons arrested in connection with the cash seizure were released on Tuesday, Amravati Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said.
It is sad that India had to endure a president's kin indulging in such
a subversive activity. Attempts to justify these actions and wiggle
out of the situation are even more pathetic. That proper banking
channels were not pursued for distribution of resources should be an
evidence enough to make the activity suspicious, and the person guilty
in the eyes of the citizenry. In any case, it would be wonderful if
news media, especially The Hindu includes a sharp and short rebuke of
such activities within and as part of the news item. For e.g., a
fairly innocuous statement such as "It is not clear why proper banking
channels were not pursued for cash disbursement," would help make
people want to do the right thing in future.
There could be two reasons for his not making use of well known instruments of money transfer like Drafts and Cheques. One, it is all black money. Two, the cash is partly or fully in counterfeit notes.
Even his mother would not believe this stupid explanation. Firstly, it
is illegal to move cash of Rs.1 crores during election time. If the
amount was legal, why was it not transferred through banks ? How would
have the EC and media reacted if the amount was found with Shivsena or
BJP? Even though everybody knows the real facts, the issue will
certainly be buried as the police, IT deptt, CBI and EC are under
pressure of the ruling party. Is this a rule of law ?
Why to act suspicious when there are so much of heat about corruption around. And when you are feeling burns you deserve it!Although this is kind of excuse we use to give when caught for coping in exam hall. Brought the Book for study but forgot to put back in bag.
Democracy is a method of governance to make the poor poorer by giving doles like petty cash, liquor and food and the Raja/Neta looting the national wealth. India shining with shame ia an example of this system.
What a sham of democracy practiced in the country! It is money power all the way. In India it is monumental corruption on daily basis while China is forging ahead with enviable positives. The country is wallowing in filth and corruption due to unbelievable superstitious ignorance most of it in the name of “tradition and culture”. There can be no way ahead for the country unless the people develop scientific temper with questioning mind. No country can make any progress unless freed from the curse of ignorant gullible lot repeatedly falling for money bag politics.
On the perspective of election campaigning I think the funds should b used under
strict accordance to legal permissions
The President's son thinks that he can do no wrong. This is how corruption spreads in the Congress.
Alas! The worst has happened where Honourable president's MLA son is involved. Such persons must be arrested first and then CBI investigation must be on to elicit the truth. It must be made mandatory that phisical cash transfers above 50 lakhs must be intimated to IT Office and nearest police station with reasons.
Mr Shekhawat is so naive that he did not know the existence of instruments of money transfer like Drafts and Cheques. His attempt to cover up his mistake is very weak and the Election Commission should take a stong action against hims and his party, irrespective of the fact that he is the President's son. I would expect The Hindu to follow this story everyday so that the incident remains fresh in the memory of the citizens.
President of India's son is taking ownership of crores of rupees being
shifted by vehicle.He says congress does not know how to distribute
money otherwise. did he forget we know about banks which can move
billions of rupees to even remote part of India now a days within a
day?.
But why cannot congress distribute funds through banks instead of
doing the banking duty itself.Because it is unaccounted money? Because
its black money.Did the funds come from terrorists.where is Anti Money
laundering law.Does President of India have links with Terrorists and
hawala through her son.If that is the case we have given key to the
thief,oops congress have given the keys to the thief.
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