Thu Dec 26 13:07:43 UTC 2024: ## BJP Receives Over Rs 2600 Crore in Donations Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

**New Delhi:** The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released contribution reports from major political parties, revealing a massive disparity in funding ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) declared receiving over Rs 2,604.74 crore in donations during 2023-24, significantly outpacing the Indian National Congress (Congress) which received Rs 281.38 crore.

The BJP’s donations, received until March 31st, 2024, represent a substantial increase from the over Rs 740 crore declared before the 2019 elections. A significant portion came from electoral trusts, with over Rs 723 crore from Prudent Electoral Trust alone. Other substantial contributors included Triumph Electoral Trust and Einzigartig Electoral Trust. The party also received substantial funds through electoral bonds, with major corporate groups like Vedanta, Bharti Airtel, and others listed as contributors. Notably, the BJP received Rs 3 crore from Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd, owned by Santiago Martin, currently under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department.

The Congress, meanwhile, received over Rs 150 crore from Prudent Electoral Trust, its sole trust donor. The party also received numerous smaller donations, including multiple contributions of Rs 1.38 lakh each from several top leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Other national parties also declared their contributions, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with over Rs 11.06 crore, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) with over Rs 7.64 crore, and the National People’s Party (NPP) with over Rs 14.85 lakh.

It is important to note that the declared figures do not include donations received through electoral bonds, which are reported separately in annual audit reports. Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd also emerged as a major donor through electoral bonds to other parties, contributing heavily to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

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