Income of 36 regional parties fell 52% in 2024-25; 21 spent more than they earned: ADR

New Delhi: Thirty-six regional parties had a cumulative income of Rs 1,192.94 crore in 2024-25 with TDP, Trinamool Congress and YSR Congress topping the list, a decline of 51.57 per cent from Rs 2,463.17 crore in the previous fiscal, according to a study by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Analysing the audited accounts of 36 out of 67 recognised regional parties whose annual audit reports were available with the Election Commission, it said these parties spent Rs 1433.06 crore with 21 of them spending more than their income.

TDP reported having the highest income of Rs 228.31 crore, which was 19.14 per cent of the total income of all the parties analysed, followed by Trinamool Congress (Rs 219.35 crore) or 18.39 per cent and YSR Congress with Rs 140.38 crore or 11.77 per cent. BRS declared a total income of Rs 123.67 crore while it was Rs 110.13 crore for BJD.

On the expenditure front, YSR Congress spent the most at Rs 340.20 crore, followed by BJD Rs 288.44 crore, Trinamool Congress Rs 227.59 crore, BRS Rs 180.59 crore and TDP Rs 61.33 crore.

YSR Congress recorded the highest excess expenditure at Rs 199.82 crore, amounting to 142.33 per cent. Parties such as Trinamool Congress, BRS, BJD, JD(U) and Samajwadi Party also reported expenditure exceeding their income.

The top five parties accounted for nearly 69 per cent of the total income and over 77 per cent of total expenditure among the parties analysed. The report said 15 parties spent less than their income and the TDP reported the largest chunk of unspent income at Rs 166.98 crore followed by MNS Rs 36.27 crore and AIADMK Rs 35.86 crore.

Voluntary contributions remained the biggest source of funding for regional parties, accounting for Rs 702.36 crore or 58.87 per cent of the total income. Trinamool Congress declared the highest donations at Rs 184.08 crore followed by YSR Congress Rs 140.05 crore, TDP Rs 85.20 crore, AIADMK Rs 66.30 crore, BJD Rs 60 crore and MNS Rs 58.44 crore.

The report said 23.24 per cent or Rs 277.213 crore of the total income was generated through Interest Income by 36 regional parties.

It said 15 out of 36 regional parties incurred more than 55 per cent of their total expenditure on election spending. YSR Congress spent the maximum Rs 299.92 crore on the election campaign followed by BJD Rs 270.66 crore and BRS spent Rs 147.99 crore.