How the Left fared: Donations above Rs 20,000 double for CPI (M), triple for CPI (ML) L as compared to 2023-24

While the CPI (M) declared contributions of over Rs 16.95 crore in 2024-25 compared to a little more than Rs 8.53 crore in 2023-24, funds for the CPI (ML) L, under the ‘grants, donations and subscription fee’ head, increased from Rs 94.63 lakh on March 31, 2024 to Rs 2.98 crore by March 31, 2025 — marking an increase of over Rs 2.04 crore — in the year Lok Sabha elections were held.

According to contribution reports submitted by the CPI (M), the party received donations from 745 donors in 2024-25 as compared to 524 donors in 2023-24.

Among its biggest donors from the business sector was Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd. Trichur, with a donation of Rs 1 crore, in addition to Muthoot Finance and Hyderabad’s Natco Pharma Ltd with donations of Rs 50 lakh each among businesses. Besides, individuals from all over the country contributed amounts ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 25 lakh to the CPI (M).

Among individual donors, the list included amounts ranging from Rs 96,000 to Rs 3.90 lakh received from party members, such as Brinda Karat and Hannan Mollah, or those connected to the party’s organisation.

While Parliamentarian John Brittas contributed over Rs 12 lakh, CPI (M)’s late General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, gave Rs 1.33 lakh.

For the CPI (ML) L, of the 37 donors whose contributions were submitted, 14 were officially associated with the party’s organisation such as sitting MLAs, ex-MLAs, MLCs and MPs, contributing the lion’s share of Rs 32.80 lakh. The amount donated to the party ranged from Rs 3,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh with varying frequency and from donors all over the country.

Among businesses, Aadisach Global Services Private Limited, based out of Dhanbad in Jharkhand, contributed Rs 4 lakh. Local hotels, including Hotel Avion Palace and K F Residency, contributed a combined sum of Rs 71,000.