It is no more a hidden fact that political parties in India cumulatively hold assets worth around crores. In its latest analysis on donations received by political parties, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that at least 24 regional parties have received donations to the tune of Rs 3,246.95 crore. It stated political parties received Rs 2,132.45 crore from electoral bonds, Rs 719.69 crore from corporates and Rs 394.8 crore from other sources during the period.
BJD emerges as richest regional party
As per the ADR report, Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has emerged the richest regional political party in the country between 2016-17 and 2021-22. During the six-year period, the Odisha-based party received a total donation of Rs 692.6 crore with around 90 per cent in the form of electoral bonds. The party received Rs 622 crore from electoral bonds, Rs 67.28 crore from the corporate sector and Rs 3.32 crore from other sources. On December 26, 1997, the BJP was founded by the incumbent Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik as a breakaway faction from the Janata Dal. The party is currently led by its founder as the president. The headquarters of the party is located in Forest Park, Bhubaneswar.
BRS and its total donation
Meanwhile, K Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) was declared as the second richest party. It received a total donation of Rs 476.89 crore. The BRS, formerly known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), is predominantly active in Telangana. It was founded on April 27, 2001, by K Chandrashekar Rao with a single-point agenda of creating a separate Telangana state.
DMK and its total donation
According to the ADR report, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) stands at third position among the richest regional parties in India. It received a total donation of Rs 475.73 crore. The party is based in the state of Tamil Nadu led by current Chief Minister MK Stalin. The DMK traces its roots to the South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party) founded by Dr C Natesa Mudaliar in 1916.
YSR-C and its total donation
The YSR Congress (YSR-C) Party has been termed as the fourth richest regional party in India. It received a total donation of Rs 456.20 crore. Based in Andhra Pradesh, the party is headed by current Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy. The party is in government since May 30, 2019, and currently, it has a strength of 151 members in the 175-member state assembly and 22 members in the Lok Sabha.
Shiv Sena and its total donation
Maharashtra-based Shiv Sena is the fifth richest regional party in India. It received a total donation of Rs Rs 267.9 crore. It is a right-wing Marathi regionalist and Hindu ultranationalist political party founded in 1966 by Bal Thackeray. Although Shiv Sena's primary base always remained in Maharashtra, it tried to expand to a pan-Indian base. In the 1970s, it gradually moved from advocating a pro-Marathi ideology to supporting a broader Hindu nationalist agenda.
AAP and its total donation
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stands at sixth position in terms of assets among the regional parties in the country. It has received a total donation of Rs Rs 169.7 crore. It was founded in November 2012 by Arvind Kejriwal and his then-companions following the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement. AAP is currently the governing party in Punjab and the union territory of Delhi. On April 10, 2023, AAP was officially granted the status of National Party by the Election Commission of India.
TDP and its total donation
According to the ADR report, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is the seventh richest regional party in India. It has received a total donation of Rs Rs 168.67 crore. The party has great influence in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It was founded by the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh NT Rama Rao on March 29, 1982 and has focused on supporting Telugu speakers.
JD-U and its total donation
Janata Dal-United is the eighth richest regional political party in the country. It has received a total donation of Rs Rs 159.39 crore. The party's political presence is mainly in eastern and northeastern India. JD-U is recognised as a state party in the states of Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur and is a part of the government in Bihar. Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the party's tallest leader and its president is Lalan Singh.
