AAP donations drop 68%; ex-MP-turned-BJP leader’s firm had given Rs 5 crore
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reported a 68% decline in financial contributions for the 2025-26 fiscal year, totaling Rs 12.10 crore. The report highlights that a significant portion of funding came from two major donors, including a firm founded by a former party member who later joined the BJP.
Why it matters
The sharp drop in funding reflects the party's changing political fortunes after losing power in Delhi and highlights the influence of corporate electoral trusts in Indian politics.
NEW DELHI: The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party received Rs 12.10 crore in contributions in 2025-26, a 68% drop from the previous financial year, according to its latest report filed with the Election Commission.Nearly 83% of the party's contributions came from two donors, Prudent Electoral Trust and Trident Limited. Both gave Rs 5 crore each. Trident was founded by former AAP Rajya Sabha member Rajinder Gupta.The remaining contributions amounted to around Rs 2.10 crore, according to the report.Gupta was elected to the Rajya Sabha on an AAP ticket in October 2025. Trident's Rs 5-crore cheque was dated January 9, 2026, when Gupta was still with the AAP.He joined the BJP after Raghav Chadha led rebellion, merging two-third of AAP's Rajya Sabha strength into the ruling saffron party in April this year.The AAP had reported contributions of Rs 38.10 crore in 2024-25, compared with Rs 11.06 crore in 2023-24.
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