The Indian National Congress witnessed a dramatic decline in its financial contributions during the 2024-25 fiscal year, with total donations, grants, and contributions falling to just Rs 522.13 crore. This figure represents less than half of the Rs 1,129.66 crore the party received in the previous financial year (2023-24), marking a significant downturn in its fundraising capabilities.
A Stark Contrast with the Ruling Party
The scale of the Congress's financial challenge becomes starkly clear when compared to its principal rival. The total donations received by the Congress are just a fraction of the massive Rs 6,088 crore the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) garnered in the same period, 2024-25. This vast disparity underscores the differing financial fortunes of India's major political entities in the post-electoral bond era.
It is noteworthy that while elections to the Lok Sabha were announced in March 2024 (falling within FY 2023-24), the actual polling took place across seven phases during April-June 2024, which falls within the 2024-25 financial year under review.
Breaking Down the Congress's Income Sources
According to the Contribution Report for 2024-25 submitted by the Congress to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a substantial 60% of its donations, amounting to Rs 313.76 crore of the Rs 522.13 crore total, flowed in from electoral trusts. The report, which details donors contributing more than Rs 20,000, includes individuals, companies, and trusts.
A separate Annual Audit Report for 2024-25, also filed with the ECI, reveals the party's other income streams beyond direct donations. These sources include:
- Rs 350.12 crore from collection by issuing coupons.
- Rs 36.69 crore from fee and subscriptions.
- Rs 9.33 crore from 'other income'.
Key Corporate and Individual Donors
Beyond the aggregate electoral trust contributions, the Congress's list of prominent donors for 2024-25 features several notable corporate entities and individuals. Leading the pack were ITC Infotech India Limited with a donation of Rs 11.50 crore, followed by Hindustan Zinc Limited (Rs 10 crore) and Sandur Manganese & Iron Ore Ltd (Rs 9.75 crore).
Other significant contributors included Suresh A Kotak (Rs 7.50 crore), Century Plywood (Rs 5 crore), and ITC Limited (Rs 4 crore). The party also received substantial sums from its own senior members. Senior leader P Chidambaram contributed Rs 3 crore, while Member of Parliament Rajeev Gowda donated Rs 4.20 crore.
Additional corporate donors listed were Derive Investment (Rs 4 crore), Indian Finance Private Limited (Rs 2.50 crore), Star Cement Ltd (Rs 3 crore), and Finolex Industries Limited and Russell Credit Limited, which gave Rs 1 crore each.
Electoral Trusts: The Major Funding Conduit
The data highlights the critical role of electoral trusts as a funding mechanism for the party. The trusts that contributed to the Congress in 2024-25 include:
- Prudent Electoral Trust: Rs 216.33 crore
- Progressive Electoral Trust: Rs 77.34 crore
- AB General Electoral Trust: Rs 15 crore
- New Democratic Electoral Trust: Rs 5 crore
- Jankalyan Electoral Trust: Rs 9.5 lakh
The sharp decline in the Congress's donation kitty, set against the backdrop of the BJP's towering receipts, paints a clear picture of the current political funding landscape in India. It raises pertinent questions about donor confidence, the efficacy of new funding channels after the scrapping of electoral bonds, and the long-term financial strategies of political parties as they gear up for future electoral battles.
