Sources familiar with internal finances of NC say that there is virtually no one in the party with enough knowledge about sources of funding for party´s major activities. “The problem is that late Koirala always kept such information to himself,” said an NC central member, preferring to be unnamed. [break]
Late Koirala would himself collect funds for big events like general convention, mahasamiti meetings and other occasions. Koirala seldom involved party´s senior leaders in fund raising activities, leaving his successors blithely ignorant of the loyal sources of the party´s funding.
Such was Koirala´s stature that people could hardly turn down his request to chip in funds for the party. “Now senior leaders turn to each other when there is a need of resources for regular party activities,” said the official.
Chief Secretary at NC´s Secretariat Ram Chandra Pokharel admits Koirala was a major source of funding for party activities. “Girijababu had maintained close relations with people from various walks of life,” he said. “It was his forte [to collect fund].”
But all those sources would want to keep themselves unknown for fear of being targeted by rival parties and the government.
The NC fought against the establishment till 1990 for restoration of democracy. No one would like to be known in public even if they supported the party during the 30-year Panchayati regime in the country.
Though the situation witnessed some changes after the restoration of democracy back in 1990, it was a short-lived. “The sources would give donation to the party only on condition of confidentiality,” adds Pokharel. “It was only late Koirala who would know the person donating the money to the party.”
According to Pokharel, the sources of the party´s fund mainly are membership fee, amount collected from the party´s sister organizations based in foreign countries and sale of its publications. The party has also made it mandatory for each of its lawmaker to pay Rs 2,000 a month for running office activities and another Rs 2,000 for the construction of party´s office building.
This barely meets the party expenses in case of big events. The NC, unlike other parties, heavily depends on voluntary donations. “You will see whether we will be able to collect enough donations in future,” says Pokharel. “We will certainly try our best to that.”
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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