Patna: Election funding for Bihar’s major political parties has surged ahead of the upcoming polls, with filings to the Election Commission revealing dramatic increases for the Janata Dal (United) and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).
JD(U) reported donations of Rs.18.69 crore in 2024–25, a 932% rise from the previous year’s Rs.1.81 crore. LJP (Ram Vilas) posted an even more striking leap — from Rs.11.67 lakh to Rs.11.09 crore, an increase of 9403%.
Officials said the rise reflects greater fundraising pressure in an election cycle. Several JD(U) leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, contributed personally; Kumar donated a month’s salary of Rs. 1.25 lakh, while MPs and ministers made payments ranging from Rs. 54,000 to Rs. 3.74 lakh.
Trusts and corporations dominate donations
Electoral trusts accounted for the largest share of contributions.
For JD(U), the biggest donors were:
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Progressive Electoral Trust — Rs.10 crore
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Prudent Electoral Trust — Rs.5 crore
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Samaj Electoral Trust — Rs.2 crore
Private companies operating in Bihar, including Urmila International Services, Sona Biscuits, and Natraj Iron & Industries, were among the notable contributors.
LJP (Ram Vilas) also relied heavily on trusts:
- Progressive Electoral Trust — Rs.10 crore
Prudent Electoral Trust — Rs.1 crore
BJP dominates nationally
At the national level, the Bharatiya Janata Party recorded Rs.6,654 crore in donations — a 68% rise year-on-year. Corporate contributions included:
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Serum Institute of India — Rs.100 crore
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Vedanta — Rs.67 crore
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Lodha Group (Macrotech Developers) — Rs.65 crore
Senior party figures, including Union ministers and state chief ministers, also made individual contributions.
Congress funding falls sharply
The Congress party reported Rs.522.13 crore, a 43% decline from the previous year’s Rs.1,129 crore.
Left parties and others
The CPI(ML) received Rs.49.9 lakh, largely from legislators in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
AIMIM reported receiving no donations in the 2024–25 fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has yet to submit its funding report.
