BJP richest national party; Cong second NEW DELHI:

Seven national parties declared a total income of Rs 1,559.17 crore in 2016-17, with BJP having the highest — Rs 1,034.27 crore, says a report.

“This forms 66.34 percent of the total income of national parties added together during 201617,” Delhi-based think-tank Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said in a report released on Tuesday.

Indian National Congress (INC) followed with Rs 225.36 crore — 14.45 percent of the total income, it said, adding that CPI has declared the lowest income of Rs 2.08 crore which forms a mere 0.13 percent.

The data has been compiled from Income Tax returns filed by the parties across the country.

The seven national parties declared a total expenditure of Rs 1,228.26 crore, the report added.

BJP declared the maximum expenditure of Rs 710.05 crore in 2016-17, while Congress incurred total expenses of Rs 321.66 crore (Rs 96.30 crore more than its total income).

The report further said that 70 percent of the total income of BSP, 31 percent of the total income of BJP and CPI and 6 percent of the total income of CPM during 2016-17 was declared unspent.

BSP’S total income was Rs 173.58 crore during 2016-17, while its total expenditure was Rs 51.83 crore.

Between 2015-16 and 2016-17, the income of BJP increased by 81.18 percent from Rs 570.86 crore to Rs 1,034.27 crore, while that of INC decreased by 14 percent from Rs 261.56 crore to Rs 225.36 crore.

Grants/donations/contributions of Rs 997.12 crore declared by BJP formed 96.41 percent of the total income of the party during 2016-17. Declaration of Rs 115.64 crore under revenue from the issuance of coupons by INC forms the topmost income of the party, contributing 51.32 percent of the total income of the party during 2016-17,” ADR said.

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