BJP to sift background of donors before accepting party funds

New Delhi, Jun 13 (UNI) Taking cognisance of news reports that it had accepted a donation of 2,500 pounds from the controversial US-based firm Dow Chemicals, the BJP today said it was working out a mechanism by which the party would scrutinise the background of the individuals and companies before accepting party funds.

BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the party had taken note of the news reports alleging that it had received contributions from Dow Chemicals, which took over Bhopal's infamous Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) in 2001.

The UCC was held responsible for the deaths of thousands of people in 1984 in the gas leak tragedy and even today several thousands of survivors continue to suffer from chronic illnesses caused by the leakage of tonnes of methyl isocyanate gas, one of the worst ecological disasters.

Mr Rudy said the party apparatus did not have the wherewithal of scrutinising the background of the individuals and companies wanting to fund its coffers. The party had informed the Election Commission about the contributions received.

The party was also ascertaining the facts regarding the reports quoting the Election Commission documents about the funding of political parties and donations received by them between 2005 and 2007.

The party is evolving a mode wherein the background of the donor agencies and individuals will be screened before accepting the contributions. This would also help to reject ''unwanted contributions'' in the initial stages itself, Mr Rudy said.

The revelation is likely to embarass the ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh where Assembly elections will take place later this year.

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