Fresh financial disclosures submitted to the Election Commission of India have laid bare the vast disparity in the monetary resources of the country's leading political parties. The data, filed after the Delhi assembly elections earlier this year, shows the Bharatiya Janata Party sitting on a colossal war chest, while its principal national rival, the Congress, struggles with a comparatively minuscule balance.
The Staggering Financial Divide
The figures are striking. The BJP, which is in power at the Centre and now also in Delhi, reported a combined bank balance exceeding Rs 6,900 crore. This amount encompasses funds held at its national headquarters as well as its state and district units across the country. In stark contrast, the grand old party, the Indian National Congress, declared a total of merely Rs 53 crore in its bank accounts at all levels.
Another surprising revelation concerns the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Despite its currently insignificant electoral footprint in many states, the party continues to maintain substantial deposits, with a declared bank balance of over Rs 580 crore.
Details of Donations and Other Parties' Funds
In a subsequent filing made on October 24, the Congress party submitted its contributions statement for the financial year 2024-25. The party declared having received Rs 517 crore in donations. It is crucial to note that this figure only represents the sum of individual contributions above Rs 20,000, as per the disclosure rules. Political parties are not mandated to reveal the identity of donors or the amount received for contributions below this threshold, and a significant portion of their collections often comes from such small donations.
The financial ecosystem of party funding includes contributions from various sources such as individual supporters, corporate entities, and trusts. The disclosures also shed light on the financial health of other political players:
- The Aam Aadmi Party's central unit reported a bank balance of Rs 9.9 crore.
- The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had Rs 4 crore.
- The Communist Party of India declared Rs 41 lakh.
Implications and Transparency
These disclosures, mandated after state assembly elections, offer a rare public glimpse into the financial muscle of political organizations, which is a critical factor in their electoral preparedness and campaign capabilities. The enormous gap between the top two national parties underscores a significant shift in their fundraising prowess and financial sustainability.
It is important to highlight that the Election Commission has stated that no contribution reports have been received yet following the recent Bihar assembly elections. This ongoing process of financial transparency is vital for understanding the evolving landscape of political party funding in the world's largest democracy. The data continues to fuel debates about electoral equity, the influence of money in politics, and the need for more comprehensive reforms in political finance.
