By Political Correspondent

Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party at the Centre, is the richest political party in the country in terms of income.  As per a report from Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), then BJP has shown the highest income amongst the National Parties, an income of Rs 2360.844 cr during FY 2022-23. This forms 76.73% of the total income of 6 National Parties during FY 2022-23.  Six National Parties (BJP, INC, CPI(M), AAP, BSP and National People’s Party NPEP) have declared a total income of Rs 3076.882 cr, collected from all over India.

As per the report Indian National Congress (INC) is the second highest income  with  Rs 452.375 cr which forms 14.70% of the total income of the 6 National Parties.

The report said that between FY 2021-22 and 2022-23, the income of BJP increased by 23.15% (Rs 443.724 cr) from Rs 1917.12 cr during FY 2021-22 to Rs 2360.844 cr during FY 2022-23. Income of NPEP increased by 1502.12% (Rs 7.09 cr) from Rs 47.20 lakhs during FY 2021-22 to Rs 7.562 cr during FY 2022-23 and the income of AAP increased by 91.23% (Rs 40.631 cr) from Rs 44.539 cr during FY 2021-22 to Rs 85.17 cr during FY 2022-23.

Between FY 2021-22 and 2022-23, the income of INC, CPI(M) and BSP decreased by 16.42% (Rs 88.90 cr), 12.68% (Rs 20.575 cr) and 33.14% (Rs 14.508 cr), respectively.

According to the report National Parties have declared donations/contributions as one of their 3 main sources of income. National Parties that received highest income from donations/contributions include BJP – Rs 2120.0642 cr, INC – Rs 268.6278 cr, AAP – Rs 84.3416 cr, CPI(M) – Rs 63.783 cr and NPEP – Rs 7.523 cr.

Collection by Issuing Coupons of Rs 125.7676 cr declared by INC form 27.80% of its total income during FY 2022-23.

The report said that the three National parties -BJP, INC and AAP,  collected 49.096% (Rs 1510.6199 cr) of their total income from donations through Electoral Bonds for FY 2022-23. BJP received donations through Electoral Bonds worth Rs 1294.1499 cr, INC received Rs 171.02 cr and AAP received Rs 45.45 cr.

During FY 2022-23, 6 National Parties declared receiving an income from Donations/Contributions, a total of Rs 1033.7197 cr.  Rs 532.5424 cr was income generated through other sources of income by National parties during FY 2022-23.

The ADR report further said “as per the data shared by SBI in response to ADR’s RTI application, Electoral Bonds worth Rs 2797.3569 cr were redeemed by parties in FY 2022-23. 54% (Rs 1510.6199 cr) of this has been redeemed by National Parties. 3 National parties namely BJP, INC and AAP collected 49.096 % (Rs 1510.6199 cr) of their total income from donations through Electoral Bonds for FY 2022-23. BJP received donations through Electoral Bonds worth Rs 1294.1499 cr, INC received Rs 171.02 cr and AAP received Rs 45.45 cr.”

“Given the anonymity provided to donors by the scheme, it was seen that Electoral Bonds emerged as the most popular mode of donations to National Political parties for FY 2021-22 as well. Only 4 National Parties (BJP, INC, NCP and AITC) have received Donations through Electoral Bonds (Rs 1811.9425 cr), wherein the identity of the donor is not disclosed to the public. Of the Regional parties that have submitted their audit reports, 10 Regional Parties Parties (DMK, BJD, BRS, YSR-Congress, JDU, SP, AAP, SAD, MGP and TDP) have declared receiving donations through Electoral Bonds worth Rs 852.88 cr in FY 2021-22.”

The report said that during FY 2022-23, out of the 6 National parties, only 2 Parties (INC – Rs 125.7676 cr and CPI(M) – Rs 11.031 cr) declared receiving a total income of Rs 136.7986 cr from Sale of Coupons.