The BJP clarified on the reports regarding the theft of a huge sum of money from its headquarters in the capital and said that these were “exaggerated” and was “not a fact”.

Around Rs2 crore was reportedly missing from a safe, kept in the accounts room, next to BJP President Rajnath Singh’s office. The ‘theft’ was reportedly detected on December 26 by the Deputy Accounts Officer Nalin.

The party sources have set up an internal inquiry and have engaged the services of a private detective agency. However no complaint has been lodged with the police.

BJP spokesman, Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Our treasurer Ramdas Agarwal is conducting a reconciliation of accounts.” He stated that the party received the money from various sources and the matter would be clear only after the reconciliation of the accounts is completed. He further said, “We will take whatever action is required after that.”

He refused to comment on whether the money was misappropriated by the party persons.

A party worker said that no one can just take out the money from the safe as it requires more than one key to open it. Neither the lock to the accounts office nor the safe had been broken, nor were there any signs of a break in.

This points out that the ‘theft’ was an inside affair and would embarrass the party once the ‘thief ‘is identified. The party however, kept the ‘theft’ a secret.