Goa: BJP to rethink on donations taken from mining companies

Panaji, Oct 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party would accept donations from Goa mining companies only after verifying that its operation were legal, confirmed the opposition party.

The party has launched a political campaign against illegal mining in Goa. State congress president claimed that matters should be discussed at the state as well as at the party's central leaders. He was non-committal to the queries related to the issue.

Previously, Goa's biggest ore producers Sesa Pvt Ltd had paid Rs 85 lakh to BJP and Rs 30 lakh to Congress, while the small parties like Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party took Rs 2 lakh and Shiv Sena got Rs 1 lakh. Three years back, company had paid Rs 28 lakh to two national parties.

Sesa Goa said that "It is a common practice among parties to approach business houses for donations", and mining companies donate to the parties only after the parties make request.

In the spotlight of Goa mining scam, Subhash Shirodkar was asked a question that whether Congress was putting an end to donations. He replied that "For this answer, we will have to wait for sometime".

Rajendra Arlekar, BJP spokesperson was quoted as saying, "There is no ban on taking legal donations from anyone. But now henceforth, we will verify whether the mining companies are doing legal mining before accepting any donations."

OneIndia News