Donations to AAP Fall by 68%; Captain ‘Gained Nothing from Joining BJP’

September

2026

Panjab’s ruling political party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has disclosed USD 1.2M in contributions for 2025–26, down 68% from 2024–25 when it earned USD 3.9M in contributions. In 2025–26, nearly 83% of the amount came from Prudent Electoral Trust and Trident Limited, a company founded by former AAP Member of Parliament Rajinder Gupta. Prudent and Trident each gave USD 438K to the AAP. The remaining contributions totaled about USD 219K. Gupta joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in April 2026. Under the rules, political parties must identify donors whose contributions exceed USD 200 during a financial year. These contribution reports do not show a party's full annual income, which is reported separately in its audited accounts. Meanwhile, a political confrontation between Indian National Congress Member of Legislative Assembly Sukhpal Singh Khaira and AAP leader Gayatri Bishnoi from Rajasthan over a Chandigarh government residence has opened a wider debate over the allotment, occupation, and alleged misuse of Panjab government bungalows. The controversy erupted after Khaira questioned Bishnoi’s presence at a government residence in Sector 39, Chandigarh, and alleged that AAP leaders are occupying government accommodation meant for Panjab ministers and officials. The Khaira-Bishnoi face-off has put the spotlight on whether Panjab's government residences are being used strictly according to entitlement rules, or whether political considerations are influencing their allotment and occupation. For the Bhagwant Mann government, the immediate question is whether it can provide a clear house-wise account of official allottees, actual occupants, permissions granted, and rent being paid. Additionally, when former INC Chief Minister of Panjab (2002–07 and 2017–21) and now a member of BJP, Captain Amarinder Singh was asked in a recent interview if BJP understood Panjab, he said, ‘No’. He added, 'I don’t think they’ve ever actually been in power here long enough to learn how to manage the political system…You have to start at the bottom, like all of us did — working at the block level, the district level. They should ask people like us.’ On a personal note, he said, ‘As for what I’ve gained in four years—nothing, really. If you join a party, you expect to be consulted, especially someone who’s spent close to sixty years understanding Panjab. I’m not claiming to have all the answers, but I do know this state' (earlier coverage).