Issue notice to other parties too over cash deposits, BSP asks poll panel

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has informed the Election Commission that money deposited in its account after demonetisation was in accordance with the law and there was no illegality in it.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has informed the Election Commission (EC) that money deposited in its account after demonetisation was in accordance with the law and there was no illegality in it.

The Bahujan Samaj Party led by Mayawati has said that money deposited in its account after demonetisation was in accordance with the law. (Dheeraj Dhawan/HT Photo)

The EC had on Thursday issued notice to the party over the money deposited in its bank account and had directed the BSP president or general secretary to submit their reply by March 15.

SC Mishra, the BSP’s national general secretary, filed the reply on Friday, the copies of which were released to media on Sunday.

In his reply, Mishra said Delhi-based Association for Democratic Reforms in its report had stated unknown source of income of BJP (₹2,125,91 crore), Congress (₹3,323,39 crore) and Samajwadi Party (₹766.27 crore).

The EC should also issue notice to the leaders of the three political parties over the cash deposited in their party accounts in the last 12 months -- pre and post demonetisation -- to avoid discrimination. It would ensure transparency and accountability of party funds and expenditure, Mishra said.

He said the media had reported that the BJP, Congress, the SP and other political parties had deposited money in their account post- demonetisation.

On December 26, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had detected ₹104 crore cash deposit in an account belonging to the BSP in a United Bank of India branch in Delhi.