Premium

BJP donations surge 87% ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, electoral bond share drops below 50%

The annual report, published by the Election Commission on Monday, showed that voluntary contributions to the ruling party increased from Rs 2,120.06 crore in 2022-2023 to Rs 3,967.14 crore in 2023-2024.

BJP got Rs 3,967 cr in donations in 2023-24, up 87%; share of poll bonds dipped to 43%

In February last year, the electoral bond scheme was scrapped by the Supreme Court, which held it unconstitutional.

IN THE run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, donations to the BJP shot up 87% from the previous year to touch Rs 3,967.14 crore, while the share of electoral bonds in the party’s total contributions decreased to less than half, as per the BJP’s annual audit report for 2023-2024.

The annual report, published by the Election Commission on Monday, showed that voluntary contributions to the ruling party increased from Rs 2,120.06 crore in 2022-2023 to Rs 3,967.14 crore in 2023-2024.

According to the report, the BJP got Rs 1,685.62 crore in the form of electoral bonds, or 43% of its total contributions. In 2022-2023, the party had got Rs 1,294.14 crore in the form of electoral bonds, forming 61% of the total contributions.

In February last year, the electoral bond scheme was scrapped by the Supreme Court, which held it unconstitutional.

As expected for a Lok Sabha election year, the BJP’s expenditure on election/ general propaganda increased from Rs 1,092.15 crore in the previous year to Rs 1,754.06 crore, the report showed. Of that, Rs 591.39 crore was spent on advertisements and publicity.

Also Read | Trust route booms after electoral bond ban: Corporate donors rush to donate via electoral trusts

While the Congress was a distant second to the BJP in terms of donations, it saw a higher spike in contributions in the election year. The Congress’s annual report showed that the party’s grants/ donations/ contributions increased 320% from Rs 268.62 crore in 2022-2023 to Rs 1,129.66 crore in 2023-2024.

Electoral bonds accounted for 73% of the total donations to the party at Rs 828.36 crore, a jump from Rs 171.02 crore in 2022-2023. Election expenditure by the Congress increased to Rs 619.67 crore, from Rs 192.55 crore the previous year.

Story continues below this ad

With the Supreme Court scrapping the electoral bond scheme just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, 2023-2024 was the last financial year in which parties could avail of the anonymous funding. The BJP was the biggest beneficiary of the scheme, getting about half of the total electoral bonds sold from April 2019 till the scheme was scrapped (Rs 6,060 crore), followed by the Trinamool Congress (Rs 1,609.53 crore) and the Congress (Rs 1,421.87 crore).

As per the TMC’s annual audit report for 2023-2024, which was published by the EC last week, the party’s income increased to Rs 646.39 crore from Rs 333.46 crore the previous year. Electoral bonds accounted for about 95% of its income.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram