When it comes to financial contributions/donations, political parties in the country seem to benefit a lot by them as a significant part of their income depends upon them.

A study conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms and the National Election Watch -- which was based on Income Tax Returns and Financial Orders obtained as RTI replies -- reveals humongous 'favours' that political parties obtain from corporate houses.

The ADR analysis, which contains financial contributions of above Rs 20,000 received by eight major political parties in the Financial Year 2007-08 and 2008-09 shows that the maximum contribution has been received by the Bharatiya Janata Party (Rs 297 crore) followed by the Bahujan Samaj Party (Rs 202 crore) and the Congress (Rs 72 crore) as part of their income.

It must be mentioned here that political parties, under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, get tax exemption on all voluntary contributions above Rs 20,000.

Interestingly, the BSP declared that it did not receive a single voluntary contribution in excess of Rs 20,000 although the total contributions received by the party exceeded a whopping Rs 202 crore in both the FYs.

On the other hand, the Nationalist Congress Party reported that all the financial contributions it received were those exceeding Rs 20,000.