Bharatiya Janata Party witnessed a surge of 627 percent in the value of declared assets which rose from Rs 122.93 crore to over Rs 893 crore between FY 2004-05 and 2015-16, according to a report by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The ruling party is followed by Indian National Congress, the second richest among India’s seven national parties with its declared assets jumping from Rs 167.35 crore to Rs 758.79 crore, signifying a growth of 353.41 percent during the same period.
The value of assets of Trinamool Congress has seen a jump from Rs 0.25 crore to Rs 44.99 crore during this 11-year period, according to the figures released by ADR and Election Watch, quoting declarations made by the parties before the Election Commission.
The total value of assets of CPI(M) has increased during the period by 383.47 per cent from Rs 90.55 crore to Rs. 437.78 crore, ADR national coordinator Anil Verma said.
The increase in the value of assets of CPI has been the lowest – from Rs 5.56 crore to Rs 10.18 crore, he said. The value of assets of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has gone up from Rs 43.09 crore to Rs 559.01 crore and that of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from Rs. 1.6 crore to Rs 14.54 crore, Verma said.
The Congress possessed more assets than the BJP until 2014-15 – the year BJP stormed to power. The saffron party did better than the grand old party the next year as well.
“While details are specific under fixed assets, loans and advances, FDR/deposits, TDS and investments, details are not available about assets under the heading ‘other assets'”, Verma added.
“The increase in assets of the seven national parties from 2004-05 to 2015-16 has had the highest rise under ‘other assets’ among all asset heads — from Rs. 108.655 crore to Rs. 1605.114 crore,” Verma concluded.
(PTI Inputs)
