The Congress spent Rs 864 crore in fighting elections in 2019-20, when the Parliamentary elections were held besides polls for several Assemblies. In its audit report for the fiscal 2019-20, the Congress balance sheet has shown an income of over Rs 682 crore as against the expenditure of Rs 998 crore, including Rs 864 crore in fighting elections, in the year ending March 31, 2020.

Over two dozen national and regional parties including the Congress, Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, left parties and others have submitted their annual audit reports to the Election Commission for the year 2019-20.

The balance sheet of the Congress shows Rs 7,69,66,60,329 as opening balance; Rs 4,54,41,00,215 as closing balance; Rs 1,70,40,072 as secured loan and borrowing secured loan; Rs 52,97,000 as unsecured and Rs 47,31,91,600 as current liabilities and provisions, taking the total amount to  Rs 5,88,16,48,235.

It has received Rs  6,82,21,07,051 which includes Rs 5,29,19,982 as fee and subscription; Rs 4,69,38,65,851 as grants and donations; Rs 1,92,45,77,600 from issuing of party coupons and 15,07,43,618 from sources.

The Congress has spent Rs 9,98,15,89,298 which include Rs 8,64,03,59,544 as elections expenditure, Rs 19,37,67,339 in salary and other employee cost; Rs 99,39,35,950 as other administrative and general expenses; Rs 3,86,67,755 in depreciation and amortisation and Rs 11,22,55,809 in other expenses. Last year, it spent Rs 4,69,92,34,855. Congress’s total income was over Rs  5,88.16 crore in 2019-20 as against over Rs 928 crore in 2018-19.

Shiv Sena’s total income was Rs 1,11,40,34,454 which includes Rs 25,39,000 from fees and subscriptions; Rs 1,05,64,59,999 from grants, contributions and donations and Rs 5,50,35,455 from other sources. The total expenditure was Rs 98,37,95,466 which include Rs 77,58,31,564 as election expenditure; Rs 59,12,787 as employee costs; Rs 10,04,44,297 as administrative and general expenses; Rs 10,15,76,692 as other expenses.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal’s income was Rs 6,00,385,91 while the expenditure shown in the balance sheet was Rs 5,41,30,805 in 2019-20. The Communist Party of India ( M) has shown a receipt of Rs 1,58,62,11,628 and expenditure of Rs 1056869425.  While the Aam Aadmi Party has shown a receipt of Rs 49,65,15,577 and expenditure of Rs 38,87,59,036, the Samajwadi Party has shown Rs 47,27,64,602 as receipts and Rs 55,69,27,769 as an expenditure in the audit report.

There are seven national parties, 64 state parties and over 2,500 registered unrecognised parties. All the recognized political parties are required to submit their Audited Annual Reports to the Election Commission.