Some members of Parliament, assemblies and other elected representatives have not sent in their share, forcing the party leadership to issue the warning.

Last week, treasurer Motilal Vora wrote a stern letter to all members, through general sec- retaries in-charge of states and the state unit chiefs, that the requisite sum be deposited either with the central office or the Pradesh Congress Committee, or the state party panel, as the case may be.

At present, party members from Bihar are vulnerable as the state goes to the polls this year.

"Such a sword should always hang," said All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader Keshava Rao, who is in charge of West Bengal, where elections are due next year.

Vora's letter, sent with party chief Sonia Gandhi's approval, is in line with the report of Manmohan Singh committee on party finances that was adopted in 2002. Party MPs, legislators and salaried mem- bers of boards and autonomous bodies are required to donate a month's salary for party fund, it says.

Every AICC delegate has to pay Rs 600 annually and a Pradesh Congress Committee member Rs 300. It is Rs 200 for a year for lower rung.

Source: Hindustan Times No ticket, Cong warns `defaulting' members