As Jyoti Singh, wife of Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh, has shared her QR code on social media seeking donations to fight elections. Her public appeal for campaign funds has reignited debate on political financing in India. Her move also raises a larger question, where does election money come from, whether for independent candidates or big parties? And what were the now-scrapped electoral bonds that once fuelled political funding in India?

What was the controversy between Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh and Jyoti Singh?

• Jyoti Singh, a native of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, is second wife of Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh.
• They married in March 2018, but what began as a glamorous wedding soon unraveled into a troubled relationship.
• In October 2021, Jyoti filed for divorce in the Ballia family court, accusing the actor of domestic violence, harassment, and coercion.
• She alleged that Pawan Singh physically assaulted her, often returned home intoxicated, and even forced her to undergo multiple abortions.
• Her petition also cited dowry-related harassment and sought ₹2 lakh per month as maintenance and ₹20,000 for rent.
• The case has since turned into a prolonged legal battle marked by multiple hearings and emotional testimonies.
• While Pawan Singh has denied all allegations, Jyoti maintains her fight is not for vengeance but for justice, dignity, and independence from her celebrity husband’s shadow.

1. Why has Jyoti decided to fight on an independent ticket?

• Her move came shortly after Pawan Singh announced he would not contest, signalling her intent to step out of his political shadow.
• Jyoti drew large crowds when she arrived in Karakat to submit her papers, indicating a grassroots backing built during previous campaigns.
• According to her father, Rambabu Singh, residents of the area had grown close to Jyoti while she campaigned for Pawan Singh in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from BJP.
• Her meeting with strategist Prashant Kishor ahead of the nomination added fuel to speculation about her future political ambitions.

Where politicians while fighting elections get their funds from?

• Association for Democratic Reforms notes that individuals can donate to parties or candidates, but many split contributions below ₹20,000 to avoid disclosure
• Corporate donations remain a major source, often linked to expectations of policy favours.
• Limits on company contributions have been relaxed, reducing funding transparency.
• Candidates and parties spend heavily on rallies, media, travel and logistics during campaigns.
• The now-scrapped Electoral Bonds Scheme enabled anonymous donations through SBI-issued bonds.
• After the Supreme Court struck it down, massive undisclosed funding patterns were revealed.
• Independent candidates often rely on personal wealth and savings to fund their campaigns.
• What is Electoral Funding?
• What It Means
• Electoral funding refers to the money raised and spent by political parties and candidates during election campaigns.
• It plays a crucial role in ensuring free, fair and competitive elections in the world’s largest democracy.
• Necessity
• Running elections across India’s 1.4 billion population demands massive administrative and logistical spending.
• Political outreach, advertising and rallies have made campaigning increasingly expensive.
• Adequate funding allows new and independent candidates to contest, encouraging diversity in politics.
• A regulated system with mandatory disclosures promotes accountability and builds voter trust.
• Formal, monitored funding helps reduce dependence on illicit donations and quid pro quo deals.
• What are the Challenges
• The 2018 Electoral Bonds scheme enabled anonymous corporate and foreign-linked funding, raising transparency concerns.
• Although the cap for anonymous cash donations was cut to ₹2,000, untraceable money still circulates.
• Removal of limits on corporate contributions has deepened the politics–business nexus.
• Amendments to the FCRA (2010) opened doors for foreign entities to indirectly fund Indian parties.
• Heavy use of cash donations makes tracking sources difficult and fuels unaccounted election spending.
• Expensive elections disadvantage smaller parties and independents, limiting political competition.
• Where do BJP and Congress get their funds from?
• According to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) following a Supreme Court order, it has exposed the biggest corporate donors under the now-scrapped Electoral Bonds Scheme.
• Among the top contributors to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP since 2019 were: Vedanta Group, Reliance-linked firms, Aditya Birla Group, Bharti Airtel, and Future Gaming & Hotel Services
• The main opposition Congress also received substantial donations from Megha Engineering and its group firms, along with Vedanta and MKJ Enterprises.
• After the Supreme Court struck down electoral bonds in February 2024, the Election Commission of India (ECI) published SBI data revealing the scale of funding. As per ECI disclosures, the BJP received ₹6,986.5 crore, while the Congress got ₹1,334.35 crore through electoral bonds. The BJP accounted for around 57% of total bond proceeds, while Congress received about 10%.
• What do rules say on campaign spending? According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), political parties and candidates must follow strict rules to ensure transparency and fairness in campaign spending. Here are the key guidelines:
• Candidates contesting elections must adhere to a fixed expenditure ceiling, up to ₹95 lakh for Lok Sabha and around ₹40 lakh for Assembly elections in larger states.
• All election-related expenses, including rallies, advertisements, and logistics, must be accounted for from the date of nomination till results are declared.
• Under Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every candidate must maintain a separate and accurate record of campaign expenses and submit it within 30 days of the result.
• If a candidate exceeds the spending limit or files a false expenditure report, they can be disqualified for up to three years under Section 10A of the Act.
• While candidates face individual spending caps, no formal ceiling exists on total spending by political parties, a loophole that continues to raise concerns about transparency and accountability.
• Is there electoral funding in other countries too? Yes but electoral funding remains a complex and often debated issue worldwide, with countries adopting different models and regulations based on their political and legal contexts. Here are some examples of how nations manage and regulate electoral financing:
• United States: The Tillman Act of 1907 prohibits corporations and national banks from donating to political candidates, marking one of the earliest efforts to curb corporate influence in elections.
• United Kingdom: The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (2000) bars company donations without prior approval from shareholders, ensuring greater accountability in corporate funding.
• France: France has implemented a robust system combining state subsidies, strict disclosure laws, and a complete ban on corporate and business donations. Media outlets also play a key role in reporting party finances.
• Germany: Initially dependent on state funding, Germany faced criticism for distancing parties from public engagement. In 1994, the Constitutional Court ruled that excessive reliance on state funding undermines democratic participation.
• New Zealand: Adopts a mixed model that blends public funding with capped private contributions. This system links state support to parliamentary representation while enforcing transparency and strict disclosure norms.