Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Rajinder Gupta Gave 40% of AAP Donations Before BJP Switch
Rajinder Gupta is a wealthy businessman from Punjab.
He founded a company called Trident Limited.
In January 2026, Trident gave ₹5 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party.
This was about 40% of all the donations AAP reported that year.
AAP reported total donations of ₹12.10 crore for FY 2025-26.
Gupta had become an AAP member of Parliament in October 2025.
In April, he and six other MPs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Gupta has also worked in Punjab government positions and received the Padma Shri award.
Rajinder Gupta founded Trident Limited and donated ₹5 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party in FY 2025-26.
The contribution represented about 40% of AAP’s reported ₹12.10 crore in donations for the year.
AAP’s disclosed contributions fell 68% from ₹38.10 crore in FY 2024-25.
Gupta was elected to the Rajya Sabha on an AAP ticket in October 2025, then joined the BJP with six other MPs in April.
The 66-year-old billionaire from Punjab has a reported 2025 net worth of $1.2 billion and founded the Trident Group.
- Who
- Rajinder Gupta, Trident Limited, the Aam Aadmi Party, and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
- What
- Trident Limited donated ₹5 crore to AAP, while Gupta later moved from AAP to the BJP.
- When
- The donation cheque was dated January 9, 2026; Gupta was elected to the Rajya Sabha in October 2025 and joined the BJP in April.
- Where
- The political and business activities involved Punjab, where Gupta was born and Trident has manufacturing operations.
- Why
- The donation was disclosed in AAP’s contribution report; the articles do not state why Gupta later joined the BJP.
- AAP donations, FY 2025-26
- ₹12.10 crore
- Trident contribution
- ₹5 crore, or about 40% of AAP’s reported donations
- Prudent Electoral Trust contribution
- ₹5 crore
- AAP donations, FY 2024-25
- ₹38.10 crore
- Rajinder Gupta’s reported net worth
- $1.2 billion in 2025, according to Forbes
- Age
- 66
- Political switch
- Joined the BJP with six other MPs in April after being elected on an AAP ticket