New Delhi4 minutes ago
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The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has released the income report of 40 regional parties. These parties have declared an income of Rs 2532.09 crore in FY 2023-24. Out of this, more than 70 percent of about 1796.024 crore rupees have come from electoral bonds.
According to the report, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) recorded the highest income of Rs 685.51 crore. After that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had an income of Rs 646.39 crore, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had an income of Rs 297.81 crore.
At the same time, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) earned Rs 285.07 crore and YSR Congress earned Rs 191.04 crore. These five parties have received 83.17 percent of the total income declared by 40 regional parties.
ADR said that the income of parties has increased by 45.77 percent as compared to 2022-23. In 2022-23, the income of these parties was Rs 1,736.85 crore. The TMC then earned the highest Rs 312.93 crore.
12 political parties spent more than income
According to the report, 27 regional parties reported that not a part of their income was spent. BRS did not spend Rs 430.60 crore out of its income, TMC not spent Rs 414.92 crore and BJD did not spend Rs 253.79 crore.
While 12 parties including YSR Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party and JDU spent more than their income. The Goa Forward Party did not give any income, but declared an expenditure of Rs 1.56 lakh.
Election bond biggest income source
Out of the total income of these parties, ₹ 2,117.85 crore (83.64%) came from voluntary donation. Out of this, ₹ 1,796.02 crore (70.93%) met only through electoral bonds, which was declared by only 10 parties. BRS, TMC, BJD, TDP, YSR Congress and DMK are among these parties.
4,507.56 crore electoral bonds roasted
In response to ADR’s RTI application, State Bank of India said that in 2023-24 political parties had redeemed election bonds worth Rs 4,507.56 crore. Out of this, about 55.99 percent (Rs 2,524.14 crore) was taken out by national parties and 39.84 percent (Rs 1,796.02 crore) was taken out by regional parties.
The report said that in 2023-24 only three national parties (BJP, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party) received donations through electoral bonds.
