New Delhi, Sept 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mobile application - the Namo App - has invited micro-donations and volunteers for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The app now also allows users to book merchandise, including T-shirts, shirts, mugs, caps etc -- the proceeds of which would go towards the Clean Ganga project, said BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya. Cash-Crunch For Congress in Run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha Elections? AAP, Shiv Sena Together Bag More Donations Than Grand Old Party.

Malviya said the party has received mails and letters from several supporters and well-wishers who wanted to donate smaller amount.

"The BJP, since Jan Sangh days, has grown on micro-donations. We have extended the same tradition except that we have now given a digital option as well to the people," Malviya said, adding that the amount which the users can donate range from Rs 5, 10, 100, 500 and 1000.

"Micro-donations bind the donor emotionally to the ideas that the BJP stands for. He sees himself as a stakeholder in national development," Malviya added.

The NaMo app, which has over 10 million users, has so far been used to connect the audience with the speeches, statements and activities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The application also shared information on the achievements of the government.

This is the first such effort to channelise the app towards directly benefiting the BJP. Apart from donations, the NaMo app has also invited volunteers to register themselves for working for the party for the general elections next year.

The volunteer platform is first of its kind which has multiple tasks and events where a volunteer can contribute, Malviya said. There has been extensive use of "gamification, points, badges and incentives for the volunteers", he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2018 11:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).