TMC dubs BJP 'most corrupt party' after ADR report on fund donation

New Delhi: A new political crossover emerges on Tuesday after a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) shows that the incumbent BJP received 16 times more corporate donations in 2016-18 than the prime opposition Congress.

The report mentions that during the period of two years, business houses donated a total of Rs 985.18 crore, constituting 93 per cent of the total contribution to political parties from known sources.

Thus, the opposition parties left no chance to attack the saffron party over the new report.

West Bengal's ruling party and fourth largest in Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress made a scathing attack on BJP calling it "the most corrupt political party." Its senior leader Derek O'Brien said in a press conference at the Parliament that after demonetisation BJP's income increased by 81 per cent. "Rs 570 crore have increased to 1,040 crore now. Including 2017-2018, 75 per cent electoral bonds were provided to the BJP. It is an opaque way," the Rajya Sabha member said.

He further claimed that "80 per cent of the advertisements in the social media seem of BJP." The ADR report says, "Out of the six national parties, BJP received the maximum donations of Rs 915.596 crore from 1,731 corporate donors followed by Congress which received a total contribution of Rs 55.36 crore from 151 corporate donors and NCP with Rs 7.737 crore from 23 corporate donors in the financial year 2016-17 and 2017-18."

Trinamool, which is also in the list, claimed that the "Black money" was provided to BJP, using the controversial amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act that exempts political parties from the scrutiny of foreign funding.

The ADR report adds that during financial years 2016-17 and 2017-18, the voluntary contributions of BJP and the Congress above Rs 20,000 from corporates was 94 per cent and 81 per cent respectively. Between financial years 2012-13 and 2017-18, the BJP received the maximum corporate donations of Rs 1,621.40 crore, constituting 83.49 per cent of the total corporate donations in six years.

Apart from BJP, Congress, NCP, CPI, CP(M) and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) are in the list.

Though, BSP was not considered, as it has declared of not receiving voluntary contributions above Rs 20,000 from any donor during this period as well as during the time period since 2004. CPI had the lowest share of corporate donations at two per cent.