Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 10: An India Today investigation has raised questions over the functioning and financial oversight of registered unrecognised political parties that have collected hundreds of crores of rupees in donations despite having little or no visible operational presence on the ground.

The investigation examined political parties in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar and found discrepancies between their declared addresses and their apparent physical presence.

According to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the Rashtriya Vikas Party received Rs 207.63 crore in donations over five years.

However, a ground check at the party's listed address in Delhi found a dance school operating from the premises. The owner of the establishment reportedly denied knowledge of the political outfit.

Similar questions emerged in the case of the Bharatiya Jan Kranti Dal Democratic. Residents at addresses listed for the party in Jabalpur and Delhi reportedly said they were unaware of any such political party operating from the locations.

In Bihar's Sitamarhi, another party, Prabal Bharat Karti, reportedly received Rs 103.84 crore in donations.

However, an on-ground check found no physical party office at its listed location, raising questions over how such parties operate and how their electoral funding is tracked.

The findings have renewed concerns over the monitoring of registered unrecognised political parties and the mechanisms used to verify their activities, addresses and financial disclosures.

The investigation has also raised questions about whether existing oversight mechanisms are sufficient to track large political donations and ensure that parties receiving substantial funds have a genuine organisational presence.

The cases highlight the need for greater scrutiny of political funding and stronger verification of parties that receive substantial donations despite having little visible activity on the ground.