BJP Sees 54% Jump in voluntary contributions, Crosses Rs 6K Crore in 2024-25
According to reports, the BJP reported a 54 per cent rise in voluntary contributions in 2024-25, crossing Rs 6,000 crore mark from Rs 3,967 crore in 2023-24.
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reported a sharp rise in voluntary contribution during the 2024-25 financial year, the donations rose almost 54 per cent to Rs 6,125 crore from Rs 3,967 crore in 2023-24.
According to the party’s annual audit filed with the Election Commission, donations climbed by more than half compared with the previous year.
How did BJP's funding surge?
The saffron party received Rs 1,686 crore via the bonds route in 2023-24. The Rs 2,158 crore jump more than makes up for the loss of revenue after the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bond Scheme in February 2024.
Corporate donations to BJP rose to Rs 5,422 crore from Rs 1,885 crore in 2023-24, as per the report filed with EC.
Individual donors contributed Rs 641 crore to BJP in the last fiscal, up from Rs 240 crore in 2023-24.
What changed happened after electoral bonds scrapping?
The Electoral Bond Scheme had allowed donors to give money to political parties anonymously. When last year the Supreme Court ended the scheme, many expected parties saw their funding shrink. But BJP’s audited figures show that donors found alternative channels to support the party.
According to the fillings, corporate and organisational donations saw a big rise. According to the reports, these groups contributed a large share of the total funds.
What about Congress?
The Congress reported a drop in its receipts through grants and donations.
The opposition party, in its 2024-25 annual audit report filed earlier, had declared a total income of Rs 918 crore, while its expenditure stood at Rs 1,112 crore.
The party's receipts via grants, donations and contributions saw a nearly 54 per cent dip to Rs 522 crore from Rs 1,130 crore in 2023-24. This may be on account of the elimination of bonds, considering Congress had raised almost Rs 828 crore through this route in 2023-24.
What does this mean going forward?
Political funding trends are likely to stay in focus as India heads into another round of elections and organisational campaigns. The flow of voluntary contributions will be watched closely by parties and voters alike.
