Crowdfunding Initiative Showcases AAP's Integrity, Claims CM Atishi
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Jan 12 (NationPress) Delhi Chief Minister Atishi asserted on Sunday that the crowdfunding initiative undertaken by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to participate in elections serves as the most significant proof of the party's integrity.
While addressing journalists, CM Atishi revealed that since its inception, the AAP has been contesting elections through contributions and assistance from the citizens of Delhi.
"Since the establishment of AAP, the residents of Delhi have supported the party with donations that enabled us to fight and win elections. We organized 'nukkad sabhas' and solicited funds from the people of Delhi, who contributed amounts ranging from Rs 10 to 50 to promote the 'Imaandari ki Rajneeti' (politics of honesty). This support was evident not just in 2013 but also in 2015 and 2020 as the people backed AAP for our honesty," she stated.
Targeting the opposition, she remarked that other political entities receive funding from affluent individuals and cater to their needs, whereas AAP gathers funds from the everyday person and serves them.
CM Atishi mentioned that she requires Rs 40 lakh to compete in the elections for the Kalkaji constituency, stating: "If we aimed to raise funds through dishonest means, we could have amassed this amount in less than a day."
She elaborated: "Acquiring funds unethically is quite simple for a Chief Minister. Delhi's budget stands at Rs 77,000 crore, making Rs 40 lakh a mere .0000 percent of it."
"Had we accepted money from private educational institutions, we wouldn’t have been able to regulate their fees. Consequently, we could not have improved government schools. If we had solicited funds from private healthcare facilities, maintaining government medical services would have been impossible," she stated, emphasizing AAP's portrayal as the party of integrity.
She highlighted that if AAP had accepted funding from contractors for flyovers and school constructions, the roofs of educational buildings would have started leaking and cracks would have appeared on flyovers within days.
Additionally, she shared the link for the crowdfunding campaign and urged people to contribute according to their capability.
Encouraging donations, she expressed, "Over the past five years, you have supported me as an MLA, a minister, and now as the Chief Minister of Delhi. None of this would have been achievable without your support and blessings."
"As we approach another election campaign, I again seek your backing," she mentioned in a post on the social media platform X.
It is worth noting that the AAP has recently faced scrutiny regarding excise policies and corruption allegations involving AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh.
The 70-member Delhi Assembly is scheduled to hold elections on February 5, with results expected on February 8.
