BJP emerges as richest party with Rs.7,113 crore fund balance; Congress at Rs.857 crore

BJP reports Rs.1,754 cr spending in 2023-24; Congress trails with Rs.620 cr

India’s ruling party, the BJP, which claims to be the largest political party in the world, reported a substantial cash and bank balance of Rs.7,113.80 crore as of March 31, 2024, compared to the principal opposition Congress party’s Rs.857.15 crore, according to figures submitted to the Election Commission. The BJP’s spending surged to Rs.1,754.06 crore during 2023-24, a significant 60% increase from Rs.1,092 crore in 2022-23.

In contrast, the Congress spent Rs.619.67 crore during 2023-24, compared to Rs.192.56 crore in 2022-23. Based on the parties’ annual audit reports, the BJP received voluntary contributions amounting to Rs.1,685.69 crore through now-banned electoral bonds during 2023-24, up from Rs.1,294.15 crore in the previous year. Additionally, the BJP reported receiving other contributions totaling Rs.2,042.75 crore during the year, an increase from Rs.648.42 crore in 2022-23.

The Congress reported receiving total contributions of Rs.1,225.11 crore during 2023-24, including Rs.1,129.67 crore from grants, donations, and contributions. This amount includes Rs.828.36 crore raised through electoral bonds during the year, which have since been banned by the Supreme Court.

During 2023-24, the BJP allocated Rs.591 crore to advertisements, including Rs.434.84 crore for electronic media and Rs.115.62 crore for printed material. It spent Rs.174 crore on aircraft and helicopters, a sharp rise from Rs.78.23 crore in 2022-23, and provided Rs.191.06 crore in financial assistance to its candidates, compared to Rs.75.05 crore the previous year.

The BJP also allocated Rs.84.32 crore to meeting expenses and Rs.75.14 crore to organizing morchas, rallies, and call center expenses in 2023-24. The Congress, meanwhile, spent Rs,207.94 crore on electronic media and Rs.43.73 crore on printed material during the same period. It allocated Rs.62.65 crore to aircraft and helicopters and provided Rs.238.55 crore in financial aid to its candidates.

The Congress reported spending Rs.28.03 crore on publicity and Rs.79.78 crore on social media during the year. Additionally, the party disclosed that Rs.49.63 crore was spent on the Bharat Jodo Yatra 2, led by Rahul Gandhi in 2023-24, compared to Rs.71.84 crore for the Bharat Jodo Yatra undertaken from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 2022-23.

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