At Rs 10.34 bn, BJP four times richer than Congress in FY17: ADR

Seven national parties declared a total income of Rs 15.59 billion in 2016-17, with BJP having the highest -- Rs 10.34 billion, says a report.

"This forms 66.34 per cent of the total income of national parties added together during 2016-17," Delhi-based think-tank Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said in a report released today.

Indian National Congress (INC) followed with Rs 2.25 billion -- 14.45 per cent of the total income, it said, adding that CPI has declared the lowest income of Rs 20.8 million which forms a mere 0.13 per cent.

The data has been compiled from Income Tax returns filed by the parties across the country.

The seven national parties declared a total expenditure of Rs 12.28 billion, the report added.

BJP declared the maximum expenditure of Rs 7.1 billion in 2016-17, while Congress incurred a total expense of Rs 3.21 billion (Rs 963 million more than its total income).