The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reports that five regional parties, including the DMK and the YSRCP, received four-fifths of the revenue from political donations. According to the details submitted by 31 regional parties to the Election Commission during 2020-21, nearly Rs. 530 crore revenue. The highest DMK Rs. With revenue of Rs 150 crore, YSR-Congress (Rs 108 crore), BJD (Rs 73 crore) and TRS (Rs 37.65) are in the next position.

Of these 31 regional parties, ADR analyzed data from 29 parties that made 2019-20 and 2020-21 data available. 10 parties reported an increase in their revenue from 2019-20 while 19 parties reported a decline. The total revenue of 29 parties in 2019-20 will be around Rs. 800 crore. However, in the following year it was almost Rs. 280 crore.

Meanwhile, the YSRCP has emerged as the number one party in the country in spending donations. However, it is noteworthy that TDP was in the first place by spending 1,584.16% more than the revenue. While YSRCP received donations of Rs 107.89 crore in the last financial year, the party spent only Rs 80 lakh. During the same period, TDP received donations of Rs 3.25 crore and spent Rs 54.76 crore. TRS had a revenue of Rs 37.65 crore and spent Rs 22.34 crore.

In 2020-21, a total of 31 regional parties generated revenue of Rs 529.41 crore. This is 34.96% less than the Rs 800.26 crore received in 2019-20. DMK topped the list with Rs 149.95 crore. TDP was limited to 11th place in donations. The YSRCP (99.25%), followed by the BJD (90.44%) and the MIM (88.02%) were among the highest gaining parties.

These 31 parties received Rs 376.86 crore (71%) in the form of voluntary donations. Of this, Rs 250.60 crore was raised in the form of electoral bonds. The total of these bonds went to just five parties. Of this, YSRCP (Rs 96.25 crore), DMK (Rs 80 crore), BJD (Rs 67 crore), AAP (Rs 5.95 crore) and JDU (Rs 1.40 crore) got it. 31 parties earned Rs 84.64 crore in interest.

For the year 2019-20, 62% of the revenue of the seven national parties was received through electoral bonds (Rs. 2993 crores). In 2020-21, political parties will spend about Rs. 1020 crore worth of electoral bonds redeemed. The five regional parties are YSR-Congress, DMK, BJD, AAP and JD (U). It has announced that it has received donations of nearly Rs 250 crore through electoral bonds.