Restrict cash donations to parties by individuals, petitioner urges SC

New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) A BJP leader on Monday moved the Supreme Court to seek a ceiling of Rs 2,000 on cash donations per year by individuals to political parties as also such donations to only those parties that contest parliamentary and assembly elections.

Petitioner advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who is also a BJP Delhi unit leader, urged the apex court for directions to the central government for taking steps to put a limit on cash donations.

Upadhyay cited Election Commission recommendations in support of his contention to limit donations to Rs 2,000 per person per year.

He also sought income tax exemption only to those political parties which contest and win seats in elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.

The petitioner also urged for directions to the Election Commission to de-register parties that do not contest elections and also accept cash donations in excess of Rs 2,000 per person per year.

He also sought de-recognition of parties that accepted cash donations of more than Rs 10 crore or 10 per cent of their total donations, whichever is less.

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