BJP earnings 2x other parties combined, says ADR report | Kolkata News

KOLKATA: BJP had the highest earnings between 2014-15 and 2023-24 — more than twice the total funds collected by all remaining national parties combined — followed by Congress and Trinamool, according to an Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report.The report, titled “Political Finance in India” and published in association with Electoral Regulation Research Network and the University of Melbourne, found BJP earned Rs 19,007 crore during the period while Congress earned Rs 5,384 crore.Trinamool’s earnings were third-highest at Rs 1,994 crore, followed by CPM at Rs 1,338 crore.Total donations (over Rs 20,000) for BJP between 2014-15 and 2023-24 were Rs 7,067 crore — 81% of donations to all parties. Congress received Rs 1,049 crore (12% of total), while Trinamool and CPM received around Rs 73 crore each. BJP received Rs 6,607 crore as corporate donations and Rs 2,761 crore through electoral trusts during the period.Congress received Rs 842 crore as corporate donations and Rs 382 crore through electoral trusts.Trinamool’s corporate donations totalled Rs 60 crore with Rs 14 crore through electoral trusts. CPM received Rs 36 crore in corporate donations and Rs 20 lakh through electoral trusts.BJP was the top spender during 2024 elections, including the Lok Sabha poll and state polls, spending Rs 1,493 crore. Congress and Trinamool spent Rs 620 crore each. In the digital domain, BJP outspent every rival during the 2024 assembly elections. For Facebook advertisements alone, BJP spent Rs 19 crore, Congress Rs 11 crore and Trinamool Rs 1.5 crore.The report noted most political spending on digital platforms is not done directly by parties or candidates but by related affiliates.Total donations (over Rs 20,000) for BJP between 2014 and 20224 were Rs 7,067 crore