BJP’s declared assets jumped by 627 per cent from Rs 122.93 crore to over Rs 893 crore in a span of ten years between FY 2004-05 and 2015-16, according to an analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). During the same period, the total assets of Congress increased from Rs 167.35 crore to Rs 758.79 crore, signifying an increase of 353.41per cent. The report titled ‘Analysis of Assets and Liabilities of National Parties - FY 2004-05 to 2015-16’ was released in Kolkata on Monday by ADR and West Bengal Election Watch.

Data from audited accounts submitted by seven political parties to the Income Tax Department and the Election Commission of India were used for the analysis. Assets and liabilities declared by the BJP, INC, NCP, BSP, CPI, CPI(M), and AITC were taken into consideration for the report. “Whenever there is an election, there is a sharp increase in assets. The parties start collecting money the year before. Political parties should be transparent in reporting their political funding. The biggest challenge for the election system has always been money power,” Major General Anil Verma (retd), head of National Election Watch/ADR, said, referring to the matter of issuance of electoral bonds for electoral funding.