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Published: December 26, 2024 1:09 PM IST 
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The Congress party’s position has been steadily declining with each election, struggling to secure wins or attract substantial donations. Once India’s oldest and most influential political party, Congress now finds itself trailing behind even regional players like the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). Despite having no government or Members of Parliament, BRS has managed to amass significant financial support, overtaking Congress in donations.
In 2023-24, Congress received Rs. 288.9 crore in contributions, falling short compared to BRS, which collected around Rs. 580 crore. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) maintained its dominance, receiving the largest share of funding, with Rs. 2,244 crore contributed by individuals, trusts, and corporate organizations. This gap suggests a growing preference among corporate donors for BRS over Congress.
Congress trails behind BRS
The most startling revelation is that Congress, a national party with a historic legacy and decades of rule, lags behind BRS, a regional party, in terms of donations. Congress has governed the country for years and held power in numerous states. However, the rise of BJP since 2014 has significantly impacted Congress, leading to electoral defeats and a decline in influence. The lack of donations reflects this decline. Congress receiving fewer donations than BRS raises eyebrows, given its national stature compared to BRS’s regional presence.
Donation breakdown
According to reports, the financial statements submitted by BJP and Congress do not include electoral bonds. As per regulations, political parties are required to disclose details of electoral bonds in their annual audit reports, not in their contribution reports. This is not mandatory otherwise. Following the Supreme Court’s decision in February 2024 to invalidate the electoral bond scheme, political parties now rely heavily on direct contributions or funds through electoral trusts as their primary sources of funding.
Here’s how the funding stacked up among political parties:
- BJP: Rs. 2,244 crore
- Congress: Rs. 288.9 crore
- BRS: Rs. 580 crore
