BJP declares record ₹1,685.6 cr from electoral bonds in FY24, reports 83% increase in annual income
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reported an 83% increase in its annual income, rising from ₹2,360.8 crore in 2022-23 to ₹4,340.5 crore in 2023-24, according to its audit report filed with the Election Commission. Of this, ₹1,685.6 crore was received through electoral bonds, marking the highest ever income from bonds declared by any political party.
The Indian National Congress (INC) also saw a significant rise in its annual income, which surged by 170% to ₹1,225 crore in FY24 from ₹452.4 crore in FY23. The Congress recorded a steep 384% increase in electoral bond receipts, which rose to ₹828.4 crore in FY24 from ₹171 crore in FY23.
BJP's total expenditure for FY24 amounted to ₹2,211.7 crore, a 62% increase from ₹1,361.7 crore in the previous year. This includes ₹1,754 crore on election campaigns and propaganda. The Congress spent ₹1,025.2 crore in FY24, up by 120% from ₹467.1 crore in FY23, with ₹49.6 crore spent on Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
The BJP's total voluntary contributions in FY24 were ₹3,967 crore, including ₹1,685.6 crore from bonds, ₹236.3 crore from Aajiwan Sahayog Nidhi, and ₹2,042.7 crore from other sources. Individual donations accounted for ₹240 crore, while corporate contributions were ₹1,890 crore.
Congress’s income sources included ₹113.4 crore from individuals, ₹170 crore from corporates, ₹6.4 crore from electoral trusts, ₹828.4 crore from bonds, and ₹22 crore from membership fees and publications.
As of March 31, 2024, BJP had ₹109.2 crore in cash, ₹1,627.2 crore in bank accounts, and ₹5,377.3 crore in fixed deposits. In contrast, the Congress spent ₹4.9 crore on pre-poll surveys, a decline from ₹40.1 crore in the previous year.
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Crowd management efforts ramped up at Maha Kumbh after stampede
Mahakumbh Nagar (PTI): A day after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh left 30 dead, the Uttar Pradesh government ramped up efforts to ensure crowd management and safety of devotees who continued to flock here in large numbers for the religious gathering.
The devotees braved the pre-dawn chill and dense fog to take a dip in the Sangam and at other ghats here on Thursday.
More than 55.11 lakh devotees had taken the holy dip till 8:00 am, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.
Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Anshuman Mishra told PTI that the area would remain a no-vehicle zone until the crowd disperses completely.
"Vehicle passes will not be valid until all devotees have safely left for their destinations. No outside vehicles would be allowed to enter the city until the crowd exits the Mela area," he said.
However, senior officials may grant permission for vehicle entry based on the situation, he said.
Mishra clarified that essential services such as police administration vehicles, ambulances and suction machines would be allowed entry as they are crucial for the smooth management of the Maha Kumbh.
Pilgrims, including women and children, were seen walking to and fro the various ghats amid reduced visibility. Many had thin blankets covering their bodies while some stopped by bonfires along the routes to keep themselves warm.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and Director General of Police Prashant Kumar are scheduled to reach here later in the day for a detailed probe into the stampede.
The top officers would also conduct a thorough review of the arrangements in the Mela area, Chief Minister Adityanath said on Wednesday night.
"Every aspect related to security and public convenience must be carefully examined to ensure seamless arrangements for Basant Panchami (Feb 3 - Amrit Snan)," he said.
In a bid to further strengthen the arrangements, the Uttar Pradesh government will also be deploying two former senior officers on Mela duty -- Ashish Goyal, who served as divisional commissioner of Prayagraj for the 2019 Kumbh, and Bhanu Goswami, former vice chairman of the Agra Development Authority.
Additionally, five special secretary-level officers are being assigned to oversee operations. All of them will remain in Prayagraj till February 12 to assist in streamlining the arrangements, Adityanath said.
Besides 30 deaths, 60 people were injured in the pre-dawn stampede on Wednesday in the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh as millions of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu calendar.
Maha Kumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna said the incident took place due to crowd pressure. The crowd broke barricades and jumped to the other side, crushing those waiting there, he said.
On Wednesday, more than 7.64 crore devotees had a 'snan' at the Maha Kumbh, the highest in a single day so far. The footfall since the beginning of the mega event had crossed 27.58 crore by the end of Wednesday, according to the Uttar Pradesh government.
The Maha Kumbh kicked off on January 13 and will continue till February 26.
