Delhi Polls: Arvind Kejriwal accused of receiving Rs 2 crore in donations via dubious means

NEW DELHI: Questioning AAP’s claims of transparent funding, a splinter group accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led party on Monday of receiving Rs 2 crore in donations through dubious means, a charge strongly rejected by the party leadership.

The AAP Volunteer Action Manch (AVAM) alleged four donations of Rs 50 lakh each were made to the party on April 15, 2014, by bogus companies that exist only on paper. “All the four donations hit AAP website on exactly the same date and time around midnight.

Later, I found they do not have net worth or profits for donating Rs 50 lakh each,” said Gopal Goel of AVAM.

AAP initially dismissed these claims calling AVAM a BJP front. The accusations, however, turned out to be embarrassing for it and party leadership went into a huddle to devise a strategy to counter the charges.

At a press conference, AAP leader Yogendra Yadav rejected the allegations on the ground that the donation was received through legitimate means. “If the party was involved in some underhanded work it would not have insisted on taking this money through cheques.” He added AAP would welcome a probe into its funding provided it was done by a SIT monitored by the Supreme Court.

Union minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal said: “The revelations show how AAP used illegal route and indulged in money laundering through hawala.”