New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (EC) has disclosed comprehensive details on the donations received by various political parties through electoral bonds. The data reveals significant contributions to the parties, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading the tally.
BJP’s Electoral Bond Donations
The BJP amassed a staggering ₹6,986.5 crore from electoral bonds, with the peak donation year being 2019-20, during which the party received ₹2,555 crore.
Congress and Other Parties’ Receipts
The Congress party secured ₹1,334.35 crores, while other major parties like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), YSR Congress, and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) received ₹944.5 crores, ₹442.8 crores, and ₹181.35 crores respectively.
Donations to DMK, Trinamool Congress, and BRS
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) received ₹656.5 crore, which includes a substantial ₹509 crore from Future Gaming, led by Santiago Martin. The Trinamool Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) were granted ₹1,397 crores and ₹1,322 crores respectively through electoral bonds.
Smaller Parties’ Electoral Bonds
Smaller political entities like the Samajwadi Party (SP), Akali Dal, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and National Conference also benefited, receiving ₹14.05 crore, ₹7.26 crore, ₹6.05 crore, and ₹50 lakh respectively.
Supreme Court’s Directive and EC’s Compliance
The EC’s latest data release pertains to the period before April 12, 2019. Following a Supreme Court order, the EC was instructed to make the electoral bond data public. The data, initially submitted to the court in a sealed envelope, was returned to the EC with a directive to publish it. Consequently, the EC has uploaded the digital records received from the Supreme Court Registry onto its website.
Table of Donations Received Through Electoral Bonds
| Political Party | Total Donations (₹ crore) | Notable Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| BJP | 6,986.5 | Highest in 2019-20: 2,555 |
| Congress | 1,334.35 | – |
| BJD | 944.5 | – |
| YSR Congress | 442.8 | – |
| TDP | 181.35 | – |
| DMK | 656.5 | Future Gaming: 509 |
| Trinamool Congress | 1,397 | – |
| BRS | 1,322 | – |
| SP | 14.05 | – |
| Akali Dal | 7.26 | – |
| AIADMK | 6.05 | – |
| National Conference | 0.5 | – |
The EC’s transparency in disclosing these figures is a step towards greater accountability in the financing of political parties in India.
