Congress funding surges 150% to Rs 517.37 crore; no major contributors from Telangana despite being in power

Hyderabad: Political funding for the Indian National Congress skyrocketed in the 2024-2025 financial year. The party received funding (above Rs 20,000, minus electoral trust) of Rs 517.37 crore, a jump of close to 150 per cent.

No major contributors from Telangana

It is pertinent to note that, in the previous financial year, a funding of Rs 281.48 crore was received, and before that, it was Rs 79.92 crore. This indicates a major hike in the contributors across India for the Congress. However, no major funders from Hyderabad or the rest of Telangana have been noted (not taking into account the electoral trust, which serves as another means to fund a party).

This point stands apart, as despite being in power in Telangana, the party does not have major contributors here.

The contribution report submitted to the Election Commission of India indicates seven small-time funders from Hyderabad, including yesteryear’s actor Vijayashanti. Reports indicate, the funding has been rapidly increasing every financial year. However, the numbers are far behind when compared to those of the BJP. The saffron party is yet to submit its report to the ECI.

BRS funding nosedived

Once labelled as India’s richest regional political party, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s funding plunged to Rs 15 crore in 2024-2025 FY from Rs 518 crore in the previous year. After facing a political debacle in the 2023 Telangana State Elections and scoring a zero in the 2024 Parliament elections. The former CM K Chandrashekar Rao-led BRS party in Telangana is not just struggling with funds but also struggling to make a mark, as seen in the results of the recently concluded Jubilee Hills bypoll.

YSRCP continues to strive

One political party that continued to bag funding despite not being in power is the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), the primary opposition in the state.

YSRCP received Rs 140 crore in the financial year 2024- 2025, according to its contribution report submitted to the Election Commission of India. In the previous year, the party received Rs 184 crore.

Major funders of YSRCP party

Prudent Electoral trust - Rs 98 crore

Natco Private Limited - Rs 10 crore

Progressive Electoral Trust - Rs 10 crore

Varsity Education Management - Rs 10 crore

AB General Electoral trust - Rs 5 crore

What is a trust?

Any corporation can set up an electoral trust which is eligible to receive electoral donations from any entity.

Any company can make donations to the trust. As much as 95 per cent of the money must be disbursed to political parties during that year.

Electoral bonds and trust are the two schemes through which corporates donate to political parties.

We need to keep in mind that the total information on political funding is limited, and the exchange of money is massive off paper. The bonds and trust only give us a minuscule view of the funding.

Name of the party - Political Funding received

1. Indian National Congress: Rs 517.37 crore

2. Telugu Desam Party: Rs 83.03 crore

3. JanaSena Party: Rs 25.33 crore

4. AIMIM: No funds above Rs 20,000 received (the party informed the ECI)

5. Bharat Rastra Samithi - Rs 15 crore

6. Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party: Rs 140 crore

(The BJP is yet to submit its contribution report to the ECI)