Congress’ ‘Donate for Desh’ Campaign Achieves Remarkable Success, Amasses INR 2.81 Crore in Two Days Through Widespread Grassroots Support

New Delhi, 20-12-2023 : The ‘Donate for Desh’ crowdfunding campaign initiated by the Congress has achieved significant success, amassing a total of Rs 2.81 crore within just two days since its launch. The campaign, which commenced on December 18 with the first contribution from party president Mallikarjun Kharge, has witnessed support from over 1.13 lakh contributors across the nation, reflecting a broad-based participation. The majority of donations are in smaller denominations, showcasing widespread grassroots involvement. Notably, 32 individuals, including prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, Ashok Gehlot, and T.S. Singh Deo, have contributed Rs 1 lakh or more.

The diversity of donors is evident, with 626 people contributing Rs 13,800 each. The ‘donateinc.in’ website, the platform for receiving contributions, has experienced an impressive 11.2 million hits in the past two days, highlighting the considerable public engagement. The contributions are marked by geographical variations, with Maharashtra leading at Rs 56.06 lakh, followed by Rajasthan (Rs 25.98 lakh), Delhi (Rs 20 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (Rs 19 lakh), and Karnataka (Rs 18 lakh). Notably, the campaign has received donations from anonymous contributors.

Analyzing the contribution channels, 81% of donations have been made through UPI, 7.95% via credit cards, 6.34% using debit cards, 4.78% through net banking, and 0.02% using RTGS. Despite the campaign’s success, the donation website has encountered challenges, facing 20,400 cyber attacks, including 1,340 aimed at data theft. These attacks, originating from outside India, were largely attempts to disrupt the website’s functionality. The party had anticipated such challenges and implemented measures to safeguard against cyber threats.

Looking ahead, the Congress plans to expand the campaign by involving state units, initiating door-to-door campaigns, and introducing QR codes at public rallies to facilitate on-the-spot contributions. A specific QR code will be used during the December 28 rally in Nagpur to streamline public donations. Additionally, the party intends to incentivize contributors by offering merchandise such as mugs and caps signed by Rahul Gandhi to those meeting a minimum donation threshold.

While the campaign faced controversy over the domain name, it has inadvertently garnered additional publicity. The party aims to leverage the funding drive not only for financial support but also as a strategic tool to connect with potential voters. The donation data will provide insights into funding patterns at district and assembly levels, valuable information that will be shared with state units. With careful checks in place, the Congress ensures that only Indian citizens residing in the country can contribute, maintaining the integrity of the fundraising campaign.

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