Congress lands in cash-for-rally scam

Mumbai, Oct 15: A lot of bones have fallen out of the Congress' closet including the claim that Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan is a miser - thanks to a video footage that shows the state Congress leaders discussing funds for Sonia Gandhi's Oct 15 rally.

“Finally, Chavan has fallen in line. It was not his intention to contribute. He is a miser,” former textile minister Satish Chaturvedi is heard telling Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Manikrao Thakre on the footage.

Unaware that the cameras were rolling, the two leaders were caught murmuring about the decision to raise massive funds for Sonia Gandhi’s rally to be held at Sewagram on Friday, Oct 15.

Individual ministers are learnt to have contributed Rs 10 lakh each while Chavan, a whooping 2 crores.

In the footage that has brought to light the role of money in Congress, Thakre is also heard mentioning how the party needs to raise huge funds as it has to contribute to higher-ups in the organisation.

This cash-for-rally scam has sent the MPCC and All India Congress Committee (AICC) running for cover.

Besides this, Ashok Chavan will be facing questions on whether the money came from the tax payers’ pocket.

Jumping at the opportunity, Congress' political rivals Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have already demanded an inquiry into the source of funds donated by Chavan.