The six national parties have declared a total income of nearly Rs 3,077 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal, with the BJP getting the maximum share of around Rs 2,361 crore. According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the ruling BJP’s income constitutes 76.73 per cent of the total income of the six national parties during FY 2022-23.

The Congress declared the second highest income at Rs 452.375 crore, which forms 14.70 per cent of the total income of the six national parties. Besides the BJP and the Congress, BSP, AAP, NPP and CPI-M have declared their income.

The BJP, Congress and AAP collected 49.09 per cent or Rs 1,510.61 crore of national parties’ total income from donations through electoral bonds for FY 2022-23.  The BJP received Rs 1294.15 crore through electoral bonds, while the Congress received Rs 171.02 crore and AAP Rs 45.45 crore.

Citing data shared by the SBI in response to its RTI, the ADR said electoral bonds worth Rs 2,797.356 crore were redeemed by parties in FY 2022-23.  Fifty-four per cent or Rs 1510.62 crore of this has been redeemed by national parties.

Between 2021-22 and 2022-23, the BJP’s income increased by 23.15 per cent or Rs 443.724 crore from Rs 1,917.12 crore in to Rs 2,360.84, the ADR said. The income of National People’s Party (NPP) -- the only party from the northeast to have the national party status -- increased from Rs 47.20 lakh during FY 2021-22 to Rs 7.562 crore during FY 2022-23, a rise of 1,502.12 per cent or Rs 7.09 crore.

The AAP’s income increased by 91.23 per cent (Rs 40.631 crore) from Rs 44.539 crore during FY 2021-22 to Rs 85.17 crore during FY 2022-23. Between the 2021-22 fiscal and 2022-23 fiscal, the income of the Congress, CPI(M) and BSP decreased by 16.42 per cent (Rs 88.90 crore), 12.68 per cent (Rs 20.57 crore) and 33.14 per cent (Rs 14.50 crore) respectively, it noted, citing their records submitted to the Election Commission.

 It also said the BJP declared a total income of Rs 2360.844 crore during FY 2022-23, but spent only 57.68 per cent, which comes to Rs 1,361.684 crore of the total income.  The Congress’ total income was Rs 452.375 crore while it spent Rs 467.135 crore, with its expenditure for that year exceeding its total income by 3.26 per cent. The CPI(M)’s total income was Rs 141.661 crore while it spent Rs 106.067 crore - 74.87 per cent of its income. Similarly, the AAP’s total income was Rs 85.17 crore while it spent Rs 102.051 crore -- its expenditure for that year exceeding its total income by 19.82 per cent. 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. During 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”, it said.