In a somewhat ironic twist of events, the Congress party has announced a new crowdfunding campaign titled ‘Donate for Desh’ or ‘Donate for the Country’. This announcement follows closely on the heels of a substantial cash seizure by the Income Tax Department from Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu. The sum, a staggering Rs 351 crores, raises eyebrows and questions alike about the financial conduct within the party.

The choice of crowdfunding as a strategy right after such a massive amount was recovered from one of their own might strike some as a bit theatrical. It's akin to a paradoxical scene in a play where the character, after being caught in a questionable act, swiftly changes the narrative to appear virtuous. This campaign can be seen as an attempt to paint over the rather glaring and uncomfortable picture of a vast sum of unaccounted money being linked to a senior party member.

The Congress party, in asking the public to donate money, seems to be reaching for a lifeline thrown into the turbulent waters of public scrutiny. It's as if, in the light of recent events, they are trying to rebrand themselves as a party of the people, financed by small, honest contributions rather than large, questionable sums. The term ‘Donate for Desh’ adds a layer of patriotic sheen to the campaign, seemingly aligning the act of donation with a service to the nation.

However, this call for public donations lands in the realm of public discourse at a rather awkward time. It might leave the common man wondering about the sincerity of the move, considering the recent revelations. There's a certain irony in asking the public to contribute their hard-earned money to a party that is currently under the scanner for having too much unaccounted cash in the first place.

In a recent press conference held on Saturday (16th December), Congress MP KC Venugopal unveiled the party's plans for an online crowdfunding campaign, humorously timed following the recent seizure of over Rs 350 crores from a fellow Congress MP. Venugopal announced, “The Indian National Congress is proud to announce the launch of its online crowdfunding campaign, ‘Donate for Desh’.” This campaign, he remarked, draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s historic ‘Tilak Swaraj Fund’ established in 1920-21. Venugopal's reference to Gandhi's fund is quite a high bar to set, especially given the contrasting circumstances of its inception and the current scenario.

The campaign aims to empower the party in creating an India "rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities," a noble cause that seems somewhat ironic given the context of recent events. One might wonder if the 'equal resource distribution' begins with the distribution of the recently seized funds.

Furthermore, the campaign is set to be officially launched by the party President on 18th December in Delhi. Venugopal’s call for contributions from state-level office bearers, elected representatives, DCC Presidents, PCC Presidents, and AICC office bearers, each to contribute at least Rs 1,380, comes across as a modest request in light of the massive haul recovered by the IT department. It’s almost as if the party is suggesting that a small token amount from each member might somehow cleanse the image tarnished by the cash seizure.

This move by the Congress party to initiate a crowdfunding campaign, particularly in the wake of a major financial controversy, seems like an attempt to divert attention and possibly rebuild its image. By drawing parallels to Mahatma Gandhi's campaign, the Congress is perhaps trying to wrap itself in the cloak of historical legitimacy and moral high ground. However, given the recent developments, this might come across as a satirical twist to the public, like a scene straight out of a political satire, where the act of 'asking' follows closely on the heels of 'being caught'.

Congress party’s treasurer, Ajay Maken, recently made a statement that could be perceived as slightly ironic in the context of their current financial controversy. He announced, “We are going to launch a crowdfunding campaign named Donate for Desh,” which Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is set to launch on December 18, 2023. The choice of this date is significant, as it marks the completion of 138 years of Congress. However, the appeal to the public to deposit amounts like Rs 138, Rs 1380, and Rs 13800 in the Congress account to "strengthen the Congress" might strike some as comically modest, especially following the seizure of a substantial sum from a party MP.

Maken's call for donations to work for a "better India" comes at a time when the party is under scrutiny for the exact opposite – the mismanagement of funds. The contrast between the seized cash and the requested donations is stark, almost as if the party is asking the public to fill a financial gap that seems minuscule compared to the amount recovered by the IT department.

Further adding to the mix, Maken elaborated on the various methods through which donations can be made – a modern, multi-channel approach including the party’s website, credit card, debit card, net banking, UPI, RTGS, NEFT, and even a QR code. This comprehensive digital approach for a party grappling with the fallout of a cash scandal is somewhat amusing, as if acknowledging the irony of embracing digital transparency in the shadow of a cash-based controversy.

Maken also specified that donors must be Indian citizens and above 18 years of age, a standard clause in political donations but one that gains an extra layer of humor in this context. It’s as though the party is keen to establish a baseline of legality and propriety in its fundraising efforts, perhaps in a bid to distance itself from the shadow of the recent cash seizure.

The recent announcement of the Congress party's crowdfunding campaign, ‘Donate for Desh’, comes at a rather curious juncture, notably after the recovery of a significant amount of cash from properties linked to Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu. This juxtaposition of events – the party seeking small donations from the public on the one hand, and the revelation of a massive cash seizure from one of its own on the other – paints a somewhat satirical picture of the party's financial affairs.

Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, the Rajya Sabha MP for Congress from Jharkhand, is not just any member of the party. His family's association with the Congress dates back to the time of India's independence, suggesting a long-standing and deep-rooted connection. Sahu's political journey is marked by a series of notable milestones: becoming a Rajya Sabha MP in by-polls in 2009, being elected for a second term in 2010, and being re-elected for the third time in 2018. His active participation in parliamentary proceedings indicates his significant role in the legislative process.

However, the fact that Sahu was part of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra adds another layer of irony to the situation. The Yatra, symbolizing unity and integrity, stands in stark contrast to the controversy surrounding the cash seizure from Sahu. This contrast might lead the public to question the integrity and transparency of the party's financial dealings and the credibility of its members.

In light of these events, the Congress party's appeal to the public for financial contributions through the crowdfunding campaign can be seen as an attempt to divert attention from the scandal and possibly to regain some of the lost trust and moral high ground. However, given the timing and the circumstances, this move could be perceived as a theatrical effort to overshadow the more pressing issues of financial propriety and accountability within the party. The effectiveness of this campaign in mitigating the fallout from the cash seizure and in restoring public faith in the party remains to be seen. For now, it stands as an intriguing subplot in the ongoing narrative of Indian politics, where the lines between earnest efforts and strategic maneuvers are often blurred.

In a recent development adding to the intrigue around the Congress party's financial dealings, the Income Tax Department conducted raids at Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd. Here, they made a substantial discovery: over 300 crore rupees in unaccounted cash. The significance of this discovery is heightened by the fact that Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, the same Rajya Sabha MP embroiled in the earlier controversy, is a partner in this distillery.

In response to these developments, the Congress Party has seemingly taken a step back, distancing itself from the controversy. This move could be perceived as a strategic effort to shield the party from the backlash of the scandal. However, to the public eye, this distancing might appear more as a convenient sidestep rather than a genuine disavowal of involvement or knowledge.

On the other side of the political spectrum, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Modi, have seized the opportunity to target the Congress. This response is not unexpected in the realm of political rivalries, especially when a party faces a controversy of this magnitude. The BJP's criticism likely aims to highlight the Congress's alleged financial mismanagement and lack of transparency, seeking to cast a shadow on its reputation and credibility.

The situation presents a classic political drama, where one party's misstep becomes fodder for the opposition's critique. For the Congress, the timing of the crowdfunding campaign amid these unfolding events might seem like an attempt to rewrite the narrative. However, to the public, the juxtaposition of asking for small donations while facing allegations of large-scale financial impropriety could appear more as a paradox than a solution.