At Rs 38 crore, AAP second in fund collections
NEW DELHI: The Samajwadi Party (SP) trumped all other parties in money collected and spent during state polls between 2004 and 2015. The SP collected Rs 186.8 crore and spent Rs 96.54 crore.
The Aam Aaadmi Party (AAP), though, which has contested only two assembly elections so far, came second with Rs 38.54 crore in funds collected and Rs 22.66 crore of funds spent.
Data analysed by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) shoed that sash collections accounted for a significant 63% of total funds, or over Rs 2,100 crore, collected by various political parties during all state assembly polls between 2004 and 2015. Cash was 44% of fund collected in the last three Lok Sabha elections.
ADR also showed the parties collected Rs 2,107 crore during 71 state assembly elections in this period. During the Lok Sabha elections held in 2004, 2009 and 2014, cheque payments accounted for the highest collection at 55% (nearly Rs 1,300 crore), while cash accounted for Rs 1,039 crore. In state polls, funds collected through cheque payments were Rs 1,244.86 crore between 2004 and 2015.
The survey , which details the funds collected and expenditure incurred by regional parties, noted that SP, AAP, AIADMK, BJD and SAD together collected Rs 267.14 crore, 62% of the total funds declared by all the regional parties, during the 2004, 2009, and 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
