Over 55% donations to regional parties from 'unknown' sources, shows data

The total income of 25 regional political parties in FY20 was Rs 803.24 crore

In 2019-20 (FY20), the total income of regional parties from unknown sources amounted to Rs 445.77 crore and constituted 55.5 per cent of their total income as declared in their audit reports. Ninety-six per cent (or Rs 426.23 crore) of this came from electoral bonds; regional parties collected Rs 4.97 crore from voluntary contributions.

‘Known sources’ are defined as donations above and below Rs 20,000, whose donor details are available through contribution reports as submitted by regional parties to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

‘Unknown sources’ are income declared in the annual audit reports, but without giving source of income for