BJP Now India's Richest Party, Congress Stands Second, Says Report

The value of declared assets of BJP has increased from Rs. 122.93 crore in 2004-05 to Rs. 893.88 crore in 2015-16 while that of Congress has risen from Rs. 167.35 crore to Rs. 758.79 crore, according to the NGOs Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Election Watch.

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 at a press conference here, quoting declarations 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 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 from Rs. 1.6 crore to Rs. 14.54 crore, Mr Verma said.

Mr Verma said that declarations under 'other assets' are not easily verifiable.

"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'.

"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," Mr Verma said.

"BJP has the highest capital at present after declaring Rs. 868.889 crore, followed by Rs. 557.38 crore of BSP and Rs. 432.64 crore of CPI(M)," Mr Verma said.