The Bharatiya Janata Party collected nearly seven times more in election-related donations than the Indian National Congress during the recent assembly elections in five states, according to new data released by the Election Commission of India. Between March 15 and May 4, the BJP received donations totalling ₹1,472.8 crore, while Congress collected ₹207.17 crore over the same period. The figures were officially published by the Election Commission on Wednesday.
The five states that went to polls during this period — Assam, West Bengal, Puducherry, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu — saw some of the highest political fundraising activity in recent memory. The data covers voluntary contributions, election expenditure deposits, and donation disclosures filed by both parties with the commission as part of their statutory obligations.
In Assam, where the BJP emerged as the single largest party, the donation records reveal that the party spent ₹96 crore on its election campaign. Assam's 2021 assembly results saw the BJP win just 31 seats; in this cycle, the party surged to claim at least 22 more seats — bringing its total to around 53 — marking a significant territorial shift in the northeastern state.
However, the Election Commission noted that expenditure and donation figures for the Kerala and West Bengal assemblies have not yet been fully submitted or published by the respective returning officers. Both states recorded historically close contests, with regional alliances keeping the BJP from forming governments despite strong electoral performances.
Political analysts say the stark funding gap between the two national parties raises questions about grassroots fundraising capacity and organisational depth, particularly in states where Congress relies heavily on central resources rather than local donor networks. The data also highlights how the BJP's expanded organizational footprint in eastern and southern India has translated directly into financial advantage during election cycles.
