2019 Lok Sabha elections: Crowdfunding could be way out of Congress fund crisis, says Tharoor

A day after acknowledging that the Congress party was indeed facing a funding crunch, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday said that BJP is soaking up most of the political funding, partly because the money goes to those who are in power.

"No doubt that BJP is soaking up most of the political funding, partly because money goes to those who are in power. As a result most of the opposition parties are facing a bit of a crisis - particularly the Congress which has a nationwide presence," he told news agency ANI.

"In Karnataka, while most candidates financed their own campaign, in one case we did crowdfunding effort and it was successful. It can be repeated in general elections," he said.

Congress, in a tweet on Thursday, had appealed people to 'save democracy' and make financial contributions to the party.

The Congress needs your support and help. Help us restore the democracy which India has proudly embraced since 70 years by making a small contribution here, said the tweet.

The Congress needs your support and help. Help us restore the democracy which India has proudly embraced since 70 years by making a small contribution here: https://t.co/PElu5R0mR6 #IContributeForIndia pic.twitter.com/XQ75Iaf7A6

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 24, 2018

According to the published news report in Bloomberg Quint, for the past five months, Congress leadership has stopped sending the funds required to run its offices in various states.

To overcome the crisis, Congress has urged members to step up contributions and asked officials to cut expenses, they said.

According to data released by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Congress received 2.25 billion Rupees- 14 per cent lesser than last year and one-fourth of BJP's earnings of Rs 10.34 billion- till March 2017. The BJP recorded a rise of 81 per cent in its donations received.