Electoral bonds: Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls, BJP encashed Rs 202 crore

The BJP emerged as the top recipient of funds collected through purchase of electoral bonds by companies and individuals. The data was published by the Election Commission on March 14. 

An analysis of the data by the Indian Express shows that the BJP encashed bonds worth Rs 6,060 crore from 2019 to 2024. 

The Indian Express reported that the party redeemed the bonds most during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. 

The BJP encashed bonds worth over Rs 1,770 crores in April and May 2019. 
The Indian Express reported that there was increase in redemptions during election period compared to other months. During the elections for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa assemblies in January 2022, the BJP used bonds worth Rs 662.20 crore. 

Similarly, in November 2022, during the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly polls, there was an increase in bond encashment by the BJP.

It used bonds worth Rs 702 crore during the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram in November 2023. 

The Indian Express reported that the BJP encashed bonds worth Rs 202 crore in January this year ahead of Lok Sabha polls.