OPCC asks aspiring candidates to deposit ₹50,000 for supply of campaign material

OPCC asks candidates to deposit ₹50,000 for campaign materials; funds will be used for election supplies.

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has asked candidates aspiring for party tickets in the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections to deposit ₹50,000 each for supply of campaign materials.

OPCC president Sarat Pattanayak has written letter to the prospective candidates in this regard.

Pattnayak said the OPCC is open to accept cheques of Rs 50,000 from shortlisted candidates on behalf of the party to supply branding and campaign materials of an equivalent value to them.

"The cheque will be in favour of OPCC and not in the name of any individual leader...," he said.

The party had received about 3,000 applications from aspirants for 147 Odisha assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha constituencies. Pattnayak did not disclose the number of shortlisted candidates who have paid the amount.

Sources, however, said that many aspirants have already deposited cheques for the stated amount.

The Congress state leadership justified the collection of funds from candidates and maintained that it was being demanded so that there is a smooth flow of election materials during campaigning. It will also help keep away non-serious aspirants, a senior leader said.