The Congress’ Lok Sabha election campaign in Kerala is facing a cash crunch. On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan admitted that the party did not have money to buy “a glass of lime juice for election workers”.
The Congress’ cash woes stem from the Income Tax department’s politically stormy decision to block the party from accessing its bank accounts for belatedly filing the 2017-18 tax returns.
A cash shortage will likely manifest in national leaders and star campaigners scaling down their campaign itinerary in the State. It will pressure over-stressed candidates to shore up resources to keep their campaigns on track. A depleted election war chest will make massive rallies and high-profile roadshows few and far between.
