Congress questions funding of Modi's UP rallies

Lucknow: The Congress today questioned sources of funding for BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s ‘Vijay Shankhnaad’ rallies being held in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country. “BJP which has claimed that it has made elaborate arrangements, including that of transportation, lodging, food, campaign and other arrangements, must tell that from where these funds are being arranged,” senior Congress leader and MLA Akhilesh Pratap Singh, said. Singh alleged that 29 trains have been arranged for Modi’s rally in Lucknow today which would cost around five crore rupees. “Similarly if arrangement of 5,000 buses, 15,000 jeeps, lodging, food, decoration and other arrangements are taken into account, then the total expenditure comes around Rs 40 crore. BJP must tell from where this fund has been arranged,” he said. [caption id=“attachment_1281955” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A previous Narendra Modi rally. Reuters[/caption] “So far eight rallies of Modi have been held in UP and going by the average estimate more than Rs 320 crore had been spent on the rallies in the state itself, then the party must clarify that what is the total amount spent on his rallies across the country,” he alleged. Singh alleged that it was nothing more than a “blatant show of money power” by BJP in a bid to “fool” the electorates ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. “But the saffron brigade must not forget that the people are aware of its tricks and will teach BJP a lesson in the polls,” he said. The Congress leader alleged that 80 per cent of the crowd attending Modi’s rally was the same and the total attendance incorporates only 20 per cent locals and the people from nearby areas. Massive arrangements have been made by the BJP for Modi’s rally here at Ramabai Ambedkar ground, eighth in the series of ‘Vijay Shankhnaad rallies’ in the state. PTI