Donations to the BJP, in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, increased by 87%, reaching Rs 3,967.14 crore, according to the party’s annual audit report for 2023-2024. However, the share of electoral bonds in the BJP’s total contributions dropped to less than half. The report, released by the Election Commission on Monday, revealed that voluntary contributions to the BJP rose significantly compared to Rs 2,120.06 crore in 2022-2023.
The party received Rs 1,685.62 crore through electoral bonds, accounting for 43% of its total donations. This marked a decrease from 2022-2023, when electoral bonds made up 61% of the party’s contributions at Rs 1,294.14 crore.
BJP’s Increased Spending in 2024
As expected in an election year, BJP’s spending on campaigns and propaganda also rose, climbing from Rs 1,092.15 crore in 2022-2023 to Rs 1,754.06 crore in 2023-2024. Out of this, ₹591.39 crore was spent on advertisements and publicity.
Congress’ Big Jump in Donations
The Congress also experienced a significant rise in donations during the election year. Its total contributions grew by 320%, from Rs 268.62 crore in 2022-2023 to Rs 1,129.66 crore in 2023-2024. Electoral bonds made up 73% of the Congress’s donations, increasing from Rs 171.02 crore the previous year to Rs 828.36 crore. The Congress’s election expenses also rose to Rs 619.67 crore from Rs 192.55 crore in 2022-2023.
End of Electoral Bond Scheme
2023-2024 marked the final year of electoral bond funding after the Supreme Court’s ruling. The BJP benefited the most from this scheme, receiving ₹6,060 crore in total from 2019 until the scheme’s end. The Trinamool Congress followed with ₹1,609.53 crore, and the Congress received Rs 1,421.87 crore.
TMC’s Income Rise
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) also saw its income grow to Rs 646.39 crore in 2023-2024, up from Rs 333.46 crore the previous year. Electoral bonds accounted for 95% of the TMC’s income.