BJP leader Gopinath Munde has courted controversy over his claim in a statement on Thursday that he had spent Rs 8 crore as poll expenses during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls as against the limit of Rs 25 lakh set by the Election Commission (EC). Interestingly, Munde, in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission in 2009, had claimed assets of Rs 6.22 crore leading to the question from where did he obtain Rs 8 crore to spend in the polls.
“It is clear that Munde not just lied about the money he spent in the elections but also lied about his total assets in his affidavit. The ECshould take action against him,” said RTI activist Anil Galgali.
He added that the source of the funds also needs to be probed. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil has asked the EC to take cognizance to the claims made by Munde as the BJP leader himself has admitted to the same. On Friday, all Munde said was “whatever I have wanted to say, I have said.” Munde made the revelation while putting forward an argument on the issue of how blackmoney plays a role in politics and it can be removed only if the state funds the elections.
Munde in his speech said: “ I spent Rs 29,000 when I contested my first Assembly poll in 1980. But had to spent `8 crore for my last (2009 Lok Sabha) election,” Munde in fact was not bothered about the Election Commission.