Archive · 29 Sep 2026
AAP Donations Drop 68% as Regional Party Funding Shifts
The Aam Aadmi Party reported receiving about Rs 12.10 crore in listed donations during 2025-26.
This was 68% less than the amount it reported the year before.
Two donors, Prudent Electoral Trust and Trident Limited, gave Rs 5 crore each.
Trident was founded by Rajinder Gupta, who was once an AAP lawmaker and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Ashutosh Ranka, who later became associated with the Cockroach Janta Party, also appeared in the donor list.
Other parties reported different donation totals.
The Telugu Desam Party reported Rs 58.25 crore, while the YSR Congress Party reported about Rs 24.30-24.31 crore.
The Biju Janata Dal reported no donations above Rs 20,000.
These reports list qualifying donations, not all of a party’s income.
The Aam Aadmi Party reported approximately Rs 12.10 crore in disclosed contributions for 2025-26, down 68% from Rs 38.10 crore the previous year.
Prudent Electoral Trust and Trident Limited each contributed Rs 5 crore, together accounting for nearly 83% of AAP’s reported contributions.
Trident’s cheque was dated January 9, 2026; the company was founded by former AAP Rajya Sabha member Rajinder Gupta, who later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Ashutosh Ranka, a former AAP spokesperson who later became a Cockroach Janta Party co-convener, contributed Rs 21,100 to AAP.
The Telugu Desam Party reported Rs 58.25 crore, the YSR Congress Party about Rs 24.30-24.31 crore, and the Biju Janata Dal no contributions above Rs 20,000.
- Who
- The Aam Aadmi Party and other regional parties, including the Telugu Desam Party, YSR Congress Party, and Biju Janata Dal, filed contribution reports.
- What
- The parties disclosed contributions above the reporting threshold for the 2025-26 financial year.
- When
- During financial year 2025-26; Trident Limited’s contribution was dated January 9, 2026.
- Where
- The reports were filed with the Election Commission and covered parties operating in Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
- Why
- Political parties must identify donors whose contributions exceed Rs 20,000 in a financial year.
- AAP contributions
- Approximately Rs 12.10 crore in 2025-26, down 68% from Rs 38.10 crore in 2024-25.
- AAP’s largest donors
- Prudent Electoral Trust and Trident Limited each contributed Rs 5 crore.
- Trident contribution
- The Rs 5-crore cheque was dated January 9, 2026; Trident was founded by Rajinder Gupta.
- Other named donors
- Ashutosh Ranka contributed Rs 21,100; Arvind Kejriwal contributed Rs 30,000 across three payments; Atishi contributed Rs 42,000; and Aman Arora contributed Rs 1.20 lakh.
- Regional-party filings
- The TDP reported Rs 58.25 crore, the YSRCP about Rs 24.30-24.31 crore, and the BJD reported nil contributions above Rs 20,000.
- Reporting scope
- Contribution reports identify donations above Rs 20,000 and do not represent parties’ total annual income.
- AAP filing size
- The report contained 1,202 numbered entries.
Sources
Aam Aadmi Party reports 68% drop in donations, former MP who later joined BJP gave Rs 5 crore - Telegraph India
AAP sees 68% fall in donations, BJD declares zero contributions
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