BJP got nearly Rs 1300 cr through electoral bonds in 2022-23, over 7 times what Congress received

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The ruling BJP has received a staggering sum of nearly Rs 1300 crore through electoral bonds in 2022-23, dwarfing the amount received by the Congress, which was only a fraction of that figure.

According to the BJP's annual audited report submitted to the Election Commission, their total contributions amounted to Rs 2120 crore during this period, with 61 per cent of it sourced from electoral bonds, newswire PTI reported.

In FY 2021-22, the party's total contributions were to the tune of Rs 1775 crore. The party's total income in 2022-23 stood at Rs 2360.8 crore, up from Rs 1917 crore in FY 2021-22.

The Congress, on the other hand, earned Rs 171 crore from electoral bonds which was down from Rs 236 crore in FY 2021-22.

The BJP and the Congress are recognised national parties.

The Samajwadi Party, a recognised state party, had earned Rs 3.2 crore through electoral bonds in 2021-22. In 2022-23, it received no contributions from these bonds.

Another state recognised party, the TDP, earned Rs 34 crore through electoral bonds in 2022-23 which was up 10 times from the previous fiscal.

The BJP also earned Rs 237 crore from interests in the last fiscal, up from Rs 135 crore in 2021-22.

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Out of its total expenditure on 'election and general propaganda', the BJP paid Rs 78.2 crore for use of aircraft and helicopters, which is down from Rs 117.4 crore in 2021-22.

The party also paid Rs 76.5 crore as financial assistance to candidates, down from Rs 146.4 crore in 2021-22. The party has shown this assistance under the head 'total payments'.

Meanwhile, the Congress party on Saturday issued a three-line whip to all its MPs, directing them to be present in Parliament during the last day of the budget session of Parliament.

A three-line whip is a strict instruction to attend and vote according to the party's position, a breach of which would normally have serious consequences.

Before the session convenes today, INDIA alliance's parliamentary leaders will meet at the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge's office in the Parliament premises.

Today is the last session of the ongoing budget session of Parliament.

This is the last session of the current Lok Sabha before the general elections, which are likely to be held in April-May this year.

The budget session was initially scheduled to conclude on February 9 and has been extended by a day. (With inputs from PTI)