New Delhi: In a financial disclosure by the Election Commission, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reported receiving donations amounting to Rs 719.8 crore in the fiscal year 2022-’23, marking a significant increase from the previous year's Rs 614.52 crore.
Notably, this sum excludes contributions through electoral bonds, a controversial financial instrument allowing individuals or corporations to make anonymous donations to political parties.
In the preceding fiscal year, the BJP had disclosed donations of Rs 1,033.7 crore through electoral bonds, sparking debates over transparency and accountability in political funding.
The current report reveals a shift in the party's funding landscape, with donations made through various channels such as cheques, bank transfers, online transactions, and the United Payments Interface.
Among the notable contributors were prominent party leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Uttar Pradesh's Adityanath, and Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Beyond political figures, donations came from diverse sources, ranging from small businesses and private schools to charitable trusts, mining companies, construction firms, waste management companies, distilleries, and even restaurants.
Plant nurseries, wine shops, flour mills, and hardware stores emerged as unexpected contributors among small businesses. This eclectic mix highlights the broad spectrum of support the BJP enjoys across various sectors.
The Election Commission also published contribution reports for other political parties, revealing a varied financial landscape. The Aam Aadmi Party declared donations amounting to Rs 37 crore, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) reported Rs 6.02 crore in contributions.
The Bahujan Samaj Party declared zero donations. The contribution report for the Congress party is still pending publication.