Indian National Congress’ Online Crowdfunding Initiative

New Delhi: The Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge on December 18, 2023, kicked off its “Donate for Desh” online crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the Party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. It will continue till December 28 to mark the 138th Foundation Day of the Party.

According to the press release on December 16, 2023, by the AICC Organising General Secretary Shri K.C. Venugopal said, “The Indian National Congress is proud to announce the launch of our online crowdfunding campaign, ‘Donate for Desh’. This initiative is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s historic ‘Tilak Swaraj Fund’ in 1920-21 and aims to empower our Party in creating an India rich in equal resource distribution and opportunities.

Our inaugural campaign, ‘Donate for Behtar Bharat’, commemorates the 138-year journey of the Indian National Congress. Embracing our history, we invite supporters to donate multiples of Rs. 138 (e.g., Rs. 138, Rs. 1380, Rs. 13,800, or more), symbolising the Party’s enduring commitment to a better India. Two channels have been created for this online crowdfunding:

Our dedicated online portal: donateinc.in.

The official Indian National Congress website: www.inc.in

We request all our PCC Presidents and National Heads of Frontal Organisations, Departments and Cells to raise awareness through press conferences and social media. The campaign will primarily be online until 28th December, the foundation day, after which we will initiate ground campaigns, including door-to-door visits by volunteers, targeting at least ten houses in every booth for contributions of at least Rs. 138 from each house.

We encourage our PCC Presidents, AICC office-bearers, state-level office-bearers, our elected representatives, DCC Presidents and AICC/PCC Delegates to contribute at least Rs. 1,380 each. We appeal to all the PCC Presidents to identify potential donors among Party well-wishers and functionaries, aiming for contributions of Rs. 1,380 or Rs. 13,800. This strategic approach will ensure the success of our vision for a better India.

What was ‘Tilak Swaraj Fund’?

The Congress has said its campaign is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s historic “Tilak Swaraj Fund”, which was launched at the Party’s December 1920 session in Nagpur in the memory of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak who died in August that year. The fund was intended to raise money for the Non-Cooperation Movement to secure “swaraj” or self-governance.