AAP's Donations Plummet 68% Amid Gupta's Shift to BJP
Political contributions to the Aam Aadmi Party have significantly decreased, with Rajinder Gupta's exit marking a pivotal moment.
AAP reported a 68% drop in donations for FY-26, totaling ₹12.10 crore.
Rajinder Gupta contributed 40% of AAP's donations before joining BJP in April 2026.
Gupta, a billionaire and former AAP MP, has a net worth of $1.2 billion.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has experienced a substantial decline in political donations, reporting a 68% decrease in contributions for the financial year 2025-26. According to the party's recent filing with the Election Commission, AAP disclosed a total of ₹12.10 crore in donations, a significant drop from previous years. This downturn is particularly notable following the party's loss of power in Delhi to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in February 2025.
A major contributor to AAP's finances, Rajinder Gupta, played a crucial role in the party's funding landscape. Gupta, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha on an AAP ticket in October 2025, contributed ₹5 crore through his company, Trident Limited, and another ₹5 crore from the Prudent Electoral Trust. Together, these contributions accounted for 40% of AAP's total donations last year. However, Gupta's political allegiance shifted when he joined the BJP in April 2026, along with six other MPs, marking a significant change in the party's funding dynamics.
The Prudent Electoral Trust, which is recognized as the wealthiest electoral trust in India, has been a significant source of corporate donations to political parties, contributing approximately 90% of such funds. Gupta's contributions were made while he was still affiliated with AAP, but his subsequent switch to BJP raises questions about the future of AAP's financial support. The trust's previous name was Satya Electoral Trust, indicating its longstanding influence in political financing.
Gupta's wealth, as reported in his election affidavit, surpasses that of several prominent figures in Punjab politics, including Sukhbir Singh Badal and Captain Amarinder Singh. With a net worth of $1.2 billion, Gupta is among the wealthiest individuals in Punjab. His business empire, Trident Group, operates in textiles, paper, and chemicals, and he has held various significant positions in government, including vice-chairman of the Punjab State Planning Board.
Looking ahead, AAP faces challenges in maintaining its funding and political influence, especially with assembly elections scheduled in Punjab next year. The party's financial disclosures reveal a stark contrast to its previous performance, as it had reported ₹38.10 crore in contributions for the financial year 2024-25. The upcoming elections will be crucial for AAP as it seeks to regain momentum in the political landscape of Punjab while navigating the implications of Gupta's departure and the broader shifts in party funding dynamics.
