An analysis of incomes during 2015-16 has shown that 32 regional parties in total got Rs 221.48 crore, of which Rs 110 crore remained unspent. This is more than 49% of their total income. DMK had the highest income at Rs 77.63 crore.
The figures, analysed and released by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), found that during 2015-16, DMK had the highest income of Rs 77.63 crore among all regional parties, followed by AIADMK at Rs 54.93 crore and TDP at Rs 15.97 crore.
The ADR report noted that the top three regional parties with the highest expenditure were JD(U), which spent Rs 23.46 crore, TDP (Rs 13.10 crore) and AAP (Rs 11.09 crore).
14 out of 32 regional parties reported incurring expenditure more than their total income. Three parties, JVM-P (Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik), JD(U) and RLD have spent close to 200% of their total income during 2015-16.
DMK, AIADMK and AIMIM (All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen) have more than 80% of their income remaining unspent, it said.
ADR said during 2015-16, the total income of DMK (Rs 77.63 crore) forms 35.05% of the total income of all 32 regional parties considered for the report.
“The top three parties which declared highest income are DMK, AIADMK and TDP, amounting to a total of Rs 148.54 crore. This comprises more than 67% of the total income of 32 regional parties, collectively,” the ADR report noted.
Among the top five parties, which have reported spending the highest overall amount, JD(U) spent the maximum, Rs 14.03 crore on elections, followed by TDP which spent the highest, Rs 8.93 crore on administrative and general expenses. AAP spent Rs 5.116 crore, the highest on propaganda expenses.
There are 47 regional parties out of which 15 have not submitted their audit report for 2015-16 to Election Commission of India, till date, including SP and RJD, the Delhi-based think tank said.
Total income (from known and unknown sources) of 18 regional parties during 2015-16 was Rs 206.21 crore. Total income of parties from known donors was Rs 90.74 crore. Also, total income of parties from other known sources (sale of assets, membership fees, among others) was Rs 74.86 crore.
Besides, total income of parties from unknown sources (income specified in I-T returns whose sources are unknown), for 2015-16 was Rs 40.61 crore, which is 20% of the total income of the parties from all over India, it said. Out of the 18 parties, JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) is the only regional party not to declare any income under unknown sources during 2015-16.
Six regional parties have more than one unknown source of income while eleven have only one unknown source. Parties with highest unknown sources of income are TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) (Rs 7.24 crore), TDP (Rs 6.88 crore) and SAD (Rs 6.59 crore).
