BRS Emerges as Second-Highest Electoral Bond Recipient: ADR Report

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has released a report analysing political funding received by 40 regional parties during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years. According to the report, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) received ₹495.52 crore through electoral bonds in 2023-24, making it the second-highest recipient among regional parties after the Trinamool Congress, which received ₹612 crore. Other major beneficiaries included the Biju Janata Dal (₹245 crore), Telugu Desam Party (₹174 crore) and YSR Congress Party (₹121 crore). ADR noted that regional parties collectively received ₹1,820.02 crore through electoral bonds during 2023-24.

The report also highlighted significant changes in political funding after the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme in February 2024. Donations exceeding ₹20,000 increased from ₹347.69 crore in 2023-24 to ₹1,051 crore in 2024-25. While the DMK emerged as the highest recipient of donations in 2024-25 with ₹365.78 crore, BRS witnessed a sharp decline. The party reported ₹85 crore in donations during 2023-24 but received only ₹15 crore in 2024-25, reflecting a decline of over 82 percent, according to the ADR report.