Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has raised questions over the distribution of political donations received from Punjab, citing data that shows the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received nearly 93% of all reported donations originating from the state during the financial year 2024-25.
Referring to the figures, Kejriwal said it was surprising that the BJP, which currently has only two members in Punjab’s 117-seat Assembly, received ₹60.30 crore out of the total ₹64.74 crore reported donations from the state. According to the ADR analysis based on contribution reports filed with the Election Commission, Congress received ₹3.73 crore while AAP received ₹71 lakh.
Questioning the source of such overwhelming support, Kejriwal alleged that businessmen across the country are facing pressure from central investigative agencies and claimed that donations are being extracted through intimidation. He further alleged that agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI are being used for political purposes. Similar allegations regarding the alleged misuse of central agencies have been made by the AAP leadership in recent months.
Kejriwal also said Punjabis have historically resisted pressure and intimidation, asserting that the people of the state would not tolerate any attempt to coerce businesses or citizens. He argued that the lessons of the farmers’ movement should have made political parties more sensitive to Punjab’s sentiments.
The BJP has consistently rejected allegations of political misuse of investigative agencies, maintaining that agencies function independently and act according to law. In response to previous accusations by AAP, BJP leaders have countered that anti-corruption investigations should not be viewed through a political lens.
According to the ADR report, nearly 88% of Punjab’s reported political donations came from corporate and business entities, while the remaining contributions largely came from individual donors. The data covers donations exceeding ₹20,000 that political parties are required to disclose to the Election Commission.
The remarks are likely to intensify the ongoing political confrontation between AAP and BJP ahead of future electoral contests, with both parties continuing to spar over governance, political funding and the role of central agencies in opposition-ruled states.
