BRS witnessed a substantial increase, securing 3.4 times more contributions from bonds during this period. The overall distribution among the parties saw Trinamool leading in expenditure at Rs 181 crore for 2022-23, followed by YSR Congress at Rs 79.3 crore, BRS at Rs 57.5 crore, DMK at Rs 52.6 crore, and BJD at Rs 9.9 crore.
Electoral bonds played a significant role in funding for these regional parties, contributing 97% of Trinamool’s total receipts, 86% of DMK’s, 84% of BJD’s, 70% of YSR Congress’s, and 71% of BRS’s in the fiscal year 2022-23. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), now a national party, experienced a notable increase in electoral bond receipts from Rs 25.1 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 36.4 crore in 2022-23. AAP’s total income grew from Rs 44.5 crore to Rs 85.2 crore, with annual expenditures rising from Rs 30.3 crore to Rs 102 crore during the same period.
AP’s general propaganda expenses surged by 330% to Rs 58.8 crore in 2022-23 from Rs 13.7 crore in the previous year. Public campaign and surveys cost the party Rs 23.6 crore in 2022-23.
The annual audit reports submitted to the Election Commission by the five regional parties for 2022-23 revealed varying financial scenarios. BRS declared the highest total income at Rs 737.7 crore, followed by Trinamool at Rs 333.4 crore, DMK at Rs 214.3 crore, BJD at Rs 181 crore, and YSR Congress at Rs 74.8 crore. Trinamool led in expenditures at Rs 181 crore, followed by YSR Congress at Rs 79.3 crore, BRS at Rs 57.5 crore, DMK at Rs 52.6 crore, and BJD at Rs 9.9 crore.
Criticism and legal challenges surround the electoral bonds scheme, with concerns over transparency, echoing in the Supreme Court. BRS emerged as the most substantial beneficiary, receiving Rs 529 crore from bonds in 2022-23, a substantial increase from the Rs 153 crore received in the previous year. Trinamool secured Rs 325 crore, DMK Rs 185 crore, BJD Rs 152 crore, and YSR Congress Rs 52 crore in the same period.with TOI inputs
