The BJP has spent five times more than the Congress on elections in 2022-23, while it collected seven times more from electoral bonds during the same period. The BJP spent Rs 1,092.15 crore for poll-related expenses in 2022-23, compared to Congress’ Rs 192.55 crore.
According to an annual audit report uploaded on the Election Commission’s website, the BJP collected Rs 1,294.14 crore from electoral bonds, whereas Congress collected Rs 171.01 crore in the same year. These figures support the Opposition’s allegation that the financial instrument is largely favouring the ruling party. The BJP’s total contributions stood at Rs 2,120 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal year, with 61 per cent coming from electoral bonds. In 2021-22, the party’s total contributions amounted to Rs 1,775 crore.
The audit report reveals that the BJP spent Rs 645.85 crore in 2021-22. Considering the controversial electoral bonds, the BJP collected Rs 1,294.14 crore compared to Congress’ Rs 171.01 crore in the same year, lending credence to the Opposition’s claim that the financial instrument predominantly favours the ruling party.
According to the report, the BJP’s total income surged to Rs 2,360.84 crore from Rs 1,917.12 crore, while Congress’ income was a mere Rs 452.37 crore. Total expenditure amounted to Rs 1,361.68 crore for the BJP compared to Congress’ expenditure of 467.13 crore in 2022-23. Electoral bonds constituted 54 percent of the total income, with Rs 2,120.06 crore coming from donations for the BJP. Income from bank interest was Rs 237.3 crore, up from the previous fiscal’s Rs 133.3 crore.
Beyond electoral bonds, the BJP augmented its financial reserves through interest, accumulating Rs 237 crore in the last fiscal year, a significant increase from Rs 135 crore in 2021-22. However, the party exercised fiscal prudence in its expenditure on ‘election and general propaganda’, reducing spending on aircraft and helicopters from Rs 117.4 crore to Rs 78.2 crore. Additionally, the party allocated Rs 76.5 crore as financial assistance to candidates, a decrease from Rs 146.4 crore in 2021-22. This assistance is categorised under the head ‘total payments’. The party concluded the financial year with cash and cash equivalents amounting to Rs 5,424.71 crore, up from Rs 4,456.18 crore in 2021-2022.
The Election Commission of India uploaded the annual contribution reports of the BJP and three other recognised national parties on its website. According to the law, political parties are required to disclose details of all donations received above Rs 20,000, including information about donors such as names, PAN card numbers, and addresses.