Party Funding Trends: AAP Donations Dip Sharply as Regional Giants Report Mixed Financial Fortunes

New Delhi | Updated: Sep 28, 2026 09:58 PM IST

The landscape of political financing in India has witnessed a significant shift in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with fresh data from the Election Commission (EC) highlighting a sharp decline in contributions for several prominent parties. Financial reports filed by various political entities suggest that donor interest has fluctuated heavily, influenced by electoral outcomes and changing political alliances.

AAP Sees 68% Drop in Declared Funding

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reported a substantial cooling in its fundraising efforts, declaring total donations of Rs 12.09 crore for 2025-26. This figure marks a steep 68% decrease compared to the Rs 38.10 crore the party reported in the previous financial year.

A closer look at the contribution report reveals a high level of donor concentration. Nearly the entirety of the party’s declared funds came from two primary sources: the Prudent Electoral Trust and Trident Limited, each contributing Rs 5 crore. The involvement of Trident Limited, founded by billionaire industrialist and former AAP member Rajinder Gupta, underscores the shifting ties within the party’s financial support base. Other smaller contributions, including those from individual donors like former AAP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, made up the remainder of the disclosed pool.

It is important to note that these figures only reflect donations exceeding Rs 20,000, as per current election disclosure mandates, meaning the party’s actual intake may be higher.

BJD Faces Financial Dry Spell Post-Power

The most dramatic reversal in fortunes belongs to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). Having enjoyed 24 consecutive years of governance in Odisha, the party’s transition out of power appears to have had an immediate impact on its fundraising capabilities. For 2025-26, the BJD declared “nil” for donations above Rs 20,000. This is a stark contrast to the previous year, when the party reported Rs 60 crore in funding, with major corporate backing from entities like Vedanta Ltd.

Regional Players and NDA Allies

While some parties faced downturns, others saw robust inflows. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key constituent of the NDA, reported a healthy Rs 58.25 crore in contributions. The Prudent Electoral Trust remained the primary benefactor, providing Rs 45 crore to the TDP.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), another NDA ally, declared Rs 7.64 crore in total donations. Interestingly, a significant portion of this—Rs 5.18 crore—was received from the BJP’s state unit in Assam, reflecting the collaborative financial dynamics between the two parties.

In the South, the YSRCP reported Rs 24.30 crore in funding, bolstered largely by major contributions from Chennai-based corporate entities, including Goodwood Sanctuary Pvt Ltd and NA Divine Habitat Pvt Ltd. Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) secured Rs 3.23 crore, with the Prudent Electoral Trust once again playing a pivotal role by contributing Rs 1 crore.

As the political season intensifies, all eyes remain on the Election Commission’s upcoming disclosures regarding the national giants—the BJP and the Congress. The release of these reports is expected to provide a more comprehensive picture of the current state of political capital in India.

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