The move was interpreted by some party leaders as being meant to embarass Kesaris predecessor, PV Narasimha Rao, who has been accused of corruption in a number of cases. Some of the other members who are considered close to Rao may also be uneasy about submitting details of their properties.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sharad Pawar might also feel uneasy about publicly declaring his assets. He has been reported over the years to have an interest in various industrial ventures. Pawar is a putative challenger for the leadership of the party.
The BJP had declared in its election manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year all its MPs would declare their assets. The party later changed the format for the declarations, allowing members not to state the value of their properties, but many members have yet to submit their statements to the party.
Kesari told the meeting the declaration was in response to newspaper reports accusing him of having assets disproportionate with his income. One report had been published in the Times of India yesterday morning. Senior AICC office bearer privately expressed disgust at the report.
Kesari declared to his colleagues that he was determined to change the partys image, and project it with a clean image. Former Finance Minister Manmohan Singh has been drafted to head a high-profile committee as part of this exercise.
At the very beginning of the CWC meeting, Kesari took out a bundle of papers and files and began reading out the details of his income and various properties. He said he would welcome other colleagues to verify his claims.
There have been hushed allegations about Kesaris assets in certain quarters. A personal aide of a former minister in Bihar has been doing the rounds of newspaper offices with allegations that Kesari owns five properties and had spent a lot of money on his residence in Danapar, in Bihar, after he became the treasurer of the Congress party.
In his statement, Kesari gave the numbers of his personal bank accounts and stated that he had handed over the industrial property he owned in Danapur to his children. He denied the allegation that he owned property in Mumbai, Delhi and elsewhere or that he owns a Delhi Development Authority flat.
During the first half of the late Indira Gandhis leadership party leaders and ministers were obliged to submit their assets to the party chie. The late DK Borroah used to keep the records.
