The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in a financial crisis and needs Rs 10 crore to contest the Delhi state assembly elections due in November.

The party is circulating an e-mail from its chief, anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal, seeking contribution. In a mail addressed to “fellow Indians”, Kejriwal writes, “I have been travelling across Delhi very extensively. There is a strong undercurrent in your party's favour. From a few seats to a thumping majority – these are the projections of various experts.”

He adds that the party needs money as it is vastly under-resourced. According to election commission rules, a candidate should not spend more than Rs 15 lakh as campaigning expenditure in an assembly poll. There are 70 constituencies in Delhi.

“Unlike other parties that are funded by vested interests and undeclared funds, we are directly raising money from the public in an open and transparent manner,” he writes.

In his email, Kejriwal assures that the party will not put up any candidate with criminal background and would not put up more than one person from the same family. He has asked for “generous donation” for this mission.