BJP leads political funding race with 10 times more donations than rivals: Report

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received nearly ten times more donations than all other national parties combined in the 2024–25 financial year, according to a recent study based on contribution reports submitted to the Election Commission.

The findings highlight the widening gap in political funding between the ruling party and its rivals, with the BJP accounting for an overwhelming share of declared donations above ₹20,000. Data analysed from official filings shows that the party’s income from donations surged significantly during the year, which also coincided with the Lok Sabha elections.

According to the study, the BJP received over ₹6,000 crore in donations during 2024–25, while the Indian National Congress, the second-largest recipient, reported a much smaller share. This disparity meant that the BJP’s funding was roughly ten times higher than the combined donations received by other national parties.

The report attributes this dominance largely to contributions routed through electoral trusts and corporate donors. Electoral trusts, which act as intermediaries for political funding, emerged as a major source of donations after the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bonds scheme in early 2024. A significant portion of funds flowing to political parties during the year was channelled through these trusts.

Earlier data has also shown that the BJP received a substantial majority of funds distributed by electoral trusts, further reinforcing its financial advantage. Corporate and business entities continued to account for the bulk of donations, contributing a large share of total political funding.

Overall political donations to national parties saw a sharp increase in 2024–25, rising by more than 160% compared to the previous financial year, according to separate analyses. The BJP alone accounted for over 90% of total declared donations, underlining its dominant position in political fundraising.

The study also reflects a broader shift in how political parties raise funds following changes in campaign finance regulations. With electoral bonds no longer available, donors appear to have increasingly relied on electoral trusts and direct contributions, many of which have flowed disproportionately to the ruling party.

The findings are likely to reignite debate over transparency and equity in political funding in India. Critics have long argued that the concentration of financial resources with a single party can create an uneven playing field, particularly during election cycles.

While the BJP has maintained that its funding reflects public and corporate support, opposition parties have raised concerns about the scale of the disparity and its potential impact on democratic competition.