Click to play videoNew Delhi: Not shy to have it and certainly not shy to flaunt it - money is no longer a dirty word in the Bahujan Samaj.
Mayawati's personal assets and wealth have often been under the spotlight. But there’s every indication now that her party, the BSP too, has huge cash coffers.
The dramatic jump in fortunes is clear. CNN-IBN has copies of Income Tax returns of the Bahujan Samaj Party, personally signed by Mayawati.
The BSP has declared to the IT department, it has cash in hand worth nearly Rs 22 crore – that’s 30 times over the party's cash reserves in 2006.
In 2005, the BSP had cash over Rs 1.6 crore, whereas in 2004 that figure was at over Rs 4.18 crore.
The BSP's bank balance has stayed nearly constant in the last four years. Its two accounts in Bank of India and Union Bank have always had a balance of more than Rs 23 crore.
Mayawati has often insisted this money is a gift from followers and well wishers, nevermind that the BSP’s base of followers comprises poor Dalits. The BSPs Voluntary contributions have only swelled in the last four years, 2007 being its peak.
The party got contributions worth Rs 45 crore from From Rs 6 crore, Rs 3 crore and Rs 9 crore it got in the preceding three years.
With lavish birthdays, jewels and allegations that party tickets, transfers and postings were being handed out to the highest bidder, Mayawati has been not just a quick learner of realpolitik but also how to fund it.
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