Gujarat’s little-known parties collected ₹4,300 crore in donations, spent almost nothing: Report
Ahmedabad: A startling case of financial irregularities has come to light in Gujarat. Ten little-known political parties, largely unheard of by the public, collected over ₹4,300 crore in donations between 2019–20 and 2023–24. Together, these parties contested only 43 candidates across three elections, the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the 2022 Gujarat Assembly election, and secured a mere 54,069 votes.
According to a Dainik Bhaskar investigation, the election expenditure declarations filed with the Election Commission showed a combined spend of just ₹39.02 lakh. However, the audited financial statements of the same parties listed their expenditure at over ₹3,500 crore, raising serious doubts of large-scale fund diversion.
Party-Wise Breakdown
Lokshahi Satta Party – Donations: ₹1,045 crore | Reported spend: ₹1,031 crore | Actual spend: ₹2.27 lakh
Satyavadi Rakshak Party – Donations: ₹416 crore | Reported spend: ₹416 crore | Actual spend: ₹1.43 lakh
New India United Party – Donations: ₹608 crore | Reported spend: ₹407 crore | Actual spend: ₹1.61 lakh
Bharatiya National Janata Dal – Donations: ₹962 crore | Reported spend: ₹961 crore | Actual spend: ₹2.83 lakh
Swatantra Abhivyakti Party – Donations: ₹663 crore | Reported spend: ₹73 crore | Actual spend: ₹12.18 lakh
Bharatiya Jan Parishad – Donations: ₹249 crore | Reported spend: ₹247 crore | Actual spend: ₹14.5 lakh
Saurashtra Janata Party – Donations: ₹200 crore | Reported spend: ₹199 crore | Actual spend: ₹1.47 lakh
Jan Man Party – Donations: ₹133 crore | Reported spend: ₹133 crore | Actual spend: ₹1.31 lakh
Manavadhikar National Party – Donations: ₹120 crore | No audit details | Actual spend: ₹82,000
Garib Kalyan Party – Donations: ₹138 crore | No audit details | Actual spend: ₹3.27 lakh
Violations and loopholes
Investigations found that at least one party, the Satyavadi Rakshak Party, received hundreds of crores in donations without submitting valid PAN details, which are mandatory for large contributions. Officials also noted that while election-time expenses were negligible, audit reports showed inflated expenditure, suggesting funds were diverted elsewhere.
Donations to these parties came not only from Gujarat but from 23 states across India, further complicating the trail of money.
ADR raises red flag
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has highlighted these discrepancies as clear signs of money laundering and tax evasion, calling for stricter oversight of political funding.
Election Commission crackdown
On the recommendation of Gujarat’s Chief Election Officer, the Income Tax Department has been asked to investigate these parties. The Election Commission has also cancelled their registrations, effectively removing them from the list of recognised political entities.
This revelation comes amid ongoing debates about Electoral Bonds and the opacity of political financing in India. While attention has mostly focused on big national and regional parties such as the BJP, Congress, TMC, SP, and NCP, the Gujarat case reveals how obscure parties functioned as conduits for massive financial transactions, sidestepping transparency and accountability in the democratic process.
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Kumaraswamy accuses Cong govt of 'neglecting' farmers in Karnataka
Mysuru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of "neglecting" the farmers in the state and being involved in corruption.
The JD(S) leader took part in an event where President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli in Mandya district, which comes under his Lok Sabha constituency.
"I saw a report that 2,800 farmers have died by suicide after this government came to power (in state). The government seems to be not concerned about the farmers. This government on coming to power said that it will give Rs 24,000 crore as loan to 32 lakh farmers for their farming activities, but till November, about Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to 24 lakh farmers, limiting to what was there earlier by managing the books of account," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "These things show the failures of this government. Also, there is a corrupt system. I will not speak about it now. After December 20, I will speak to you in detail. There are a lot of issues to share with you."
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Responding to a question, the JD(S) leader, who turned 66 today, said there is no use of giving any documents. "I'm waiting for the right time."
Regarding the Congress government introducing a bill against "hate speech" in the Assembly, Kumaswamy said it is aimed at silencing the opposition in the state, but they won't be successful.
"What do Congress leaders have to say about their workers' comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi?. He cited slogans -- 'Modi teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi's grave will be dug.. if not today, then tomorrow) -- allegedly raised against Modi at a Congress rally in Delhi on Sunday.
