Gujarat Political Outfits Outpace National Parties in Donations, Except BJP: New Report

In a remarkable finding, a recent report has revealed that six political parties based in Gujarat received donations surpassing those given to national parties, barring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). According to data from the Election Commission and the Association for Democratic Reforms, these Gujarat-centric outfits collectively garnered an impressive Rs 1,700 crore during the fiscal year 2023-’24.

The parties in question, which are classified as registered unrecognised political entities, include the Aam Janmat Party, Bharatiya National Janata Dal, Garib Kalyan Party, New India United Party, Satyawadi Rakshak Party, and the Swatantrata Abhivyakti Party. The report, highlighted by BBC News Hindi, underscores the growing financial influence of regional parties as the country gears up for the impending 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Comparatively, the five recognised national parties — Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and National People’s Party (NPP) — secured a total of Rs 1,480 crore in donations. Notably, the Aam Janmat Party alone received a staggering Rs 620 crore, significantly outpacing Congress, which attracted Rs 281 crore in donations during the same period.

The financial year in question was particularly crucial as it coincided with the lead-up to the general elections scheduled for April and May 2024. While the national parties collectively fielded 893 candidates for the elections, the six Gujarat-based parties opted to put forward a modest total of just 15 candidates. This decision indicates a focused approach, possibly aiming to consolidate regional support rather than compete on a larger national scale.

Four of these six parties are primarily headquartered in Naroda, a locality in Ahmedabad, hinting at a concentrated effort to mobilize local voters. The substantial funds raised by these parties may reflect a growing trend where regional political entities are asserting themselves and potentially reshaping the dynamics of political funding in India.

Source: scroll.in