Nearly 200 supporters and workers of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Kanpur have received notices from the Income Tax department asking them to explain the source of the funds they had so generously donated to the party in 2005.

There was panic among local workers after they received the communiqué from tax officers. Most of them spent the day running to senior party leaders seeking advice on what to write in reply. Sources in the department said this was merely a routine exercise, not propelled by any political intent.

Former district president of the BSP, Ramasre Kureel, who donated Rs 1 lakh to the party fund, said the notice had initially surprised him. “However, senior leaders in Lucknow helped me file the reply,” he told The Indian Express. He said the party hierarchy has come forward to assist local workers on this matter, and even drafted a set reply for them to submit to the tax department’s office. Most workers have said they had borrowed the money, party sources said.

Kureel defended the familiar practice of donations. He said, “The BSP is the common man’s party — that class which has been neglected for long. These people are not strong financially. Our trust and faith in Mayawati made us donate money and property to the party’s coffers. We want to strengthen its structure.” Kureel added the party often reciprocates this gesture by helping out those in need. “Even I have got money from the party fund in my hour of crisis,” he said. Some of the local leaders who received the notices by speed post, signed by former additional director (I-T) Daya Ram, are Sunil Babu, R G Sankhwar and Sheetla Prasad.