NEW DELHI: In the financial year 2023–24, the BJP received the highest donations among national parties, amounting to over Rs 2,243 crore from 8,358 contributions, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms.
The ruling BJP and the main opposition, the Congress, saw significant increases in donations for 2023-24, with rises of over 211% and 252%, respectively, compared to the previous financial year, 2022-23.
Donations to the BJP rose from `719.858 crore in 2022–23 to Rs 2,243.94 crore in 2023–24, marking a 211.72% increase. The Congress received Rs 281.48 crore in 2023–24 compared to Rs 79.924 crore in 2022–23, a 252.18% increase.
The ADR based its analysis on data submitted by parties to the Election Commission, focusing on political donations above Rs 20,000. The national parties declared donations amounting to Rs 2,544.28 crore from 12,547 contributions – a sharp 199% rise from the previous year.
Notably, 3,755 came from corporate and business entities, contributing Rs 2,262.55 crore – accounting for 88.92% of the total. Individual donors, numbering 8,493, contributed Rs 270.872 crore – or 10.64% of the total – during 2023–24. Significantly, 3,478 corporate/business donations totalling Rs 2,064.58 crore were made to the BJP.
The BJP’s declared donations accounted for 88% of the total received by national parties, with the Congress trailing with Rs 281.48 crore from 1,994 donations. The Congress received Rs 190.3263 crore from 102 corporate and business donations and Rs 90.899 crore from 1,882 individual donors in 2023–24.
The Prudent Electoral Trust donated a total of Rs 880 crore to both the BJP and the Congress. It gave 723.675 crore to the BJP and 156.4025 crore to Congress.