GANDHINAGAR: Even as talk of early elections in the state swirl about, ruling BJP and opposition Congress are uncertain about their respective fund raising programmes.BJP officially garnered Rs 223.79 crore ahead of the 2012 assembly elections through its "Dhan Daan" and "Dhan Sanghra" drives. This time, however, the BJP has not planned any such drive so far and is unlikely to do so now.The Gujarat Congress , which is facing a funds crisis, is also concerned about its war chest for the tough fight against the BJP.According to the records submitted to the election commission of India , the Gujarat BJP raised a whopping Rs 170 crore in one year preceding November 2012 (the election was held in December 2012). It also raised Rs 53.79 crore during November 17, 2012 to December 24, 2012, for a total of Rs.223.79 crore. Of this, it spent Rs.124.45 crore and saved Rs.156.60 crore.Sources in the BJP said the party actually raised more than Rs 500 crore ahead of the 2012 elections.On the other hand, Gujarat Congress raised Rs.71.53 crore as election donations and spent Rs.72.66 crore on the 2012 assembly campaign.Gujarat BJP president Jitu Vaghani, when asked about the pary's fund raising plans for the 2017 poll, said: "The party won't necessarily repeat the Dhan Sanghra drive like before the 2012 elections. The Dhan Sanghra was not only for the 2012 elections. The party was facing issues with the day-to-day expenses of district offices, so then CM and now PM Narendra Modi suggested that we carry out a fund raising drive from which the party's district and taluka units can meet their day-to-day expneses from the interest income. So far we have not planned any fund raising drive for the upcoming elections. We strictly follow the spending rules of the Election Commission of India. If required, we will work out a plan to raise funds."Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki, about fund raising, said: "So far we have not planned any drive for fund raising. When required, we will begin accepting donations. Unlike the BJP, we don't believe in arm-twisting to get election funds . Our workers work for the party and not for money."

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