The ruling Bharatiya Janta Party reported total earnings of over ₹2360 crore for financial year 2022-23 per its annual audit submitted to the Election Commission this week – marking a 23% jump over previous year’s consolidated party and electoral wing income. Contributions via anonymous electoral bonds made up 61% at nearly ₹1300 crore.
Compared to BJP, Congress has earned around ₹ 467 crore in the same period. Around ₹ 70 crore have been spent by Congress on Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The massive yearly fundraising influx has catapulted BJP’s cash reserves to ₹5425 crore now, nearly 5 times rival Congress’s declared income. This allows funding high-voltage poll campaigns independently while critics argue opacity risks from dominant flows through opaque instruments.
Lion’s Share Spent on Advertising, Travel
On the expenditure side, over 80% of the ₹1362 crore total outlay supported election travel requirements and related advertising/publicity charges directly as the party traverses continuous state level electoral cycles.
Experts noted income and spending both amplified given Gujarat, Himachal elections concluded recently and Karnataka polls upcoming, marked by competitive splurges navigating regulatory scrutiny via innovative corporate contribution practices.
