Deccan Chronicle recently published a report on donations received by political parties in Andhra Pradesh. According to the report, YSR Congress received Rs 140 crore in 2024-25, while TDP got Rs 83 crore and Janasena received Rs 25 crore.
Supporters of YSR Congress are projecting this as a major achievement. They claim companies donated more because they believe YSR Congress will return to power, citing that its donations exceeded those of TDP and Janasena combined.
However, a closer look at the data presents a different picture. While it is true that YSR Congress received higher donations overall, the timing of these contributions is crucial to understanding the trend.
Out of the total Rs 140 crore, YSR Congress received Rs 136.10 crore by April and the first week of May, just before the 2024 Assembly elections. After the elections, the party received only Rs 3.93 crore between September 2024 and March 2025.
This clearly weakens claims that investors are confident about YSR Congress returning to power. It is widely known that companies usually donate to parties in power or those expected to form the government.
With just one and a half years having passed since the elections, it is natural for ruling parties to attract higher donations. Opposition parties receiving more funds than ruling parties is extremely rare, even in exceptional situations.
The donation figures for 2025-26 are expected to offer a clearer picture. There is strong likelihood that YSR Congress may receive even less funding than the Janasena Party.
Despite this, YSR Congress social media teams are pushing a narrative of political resurgence. Such early attempts, observers say, may appear desperate and are unlikely to resonate well with the public under a new government.