A report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) stated that the DMK and AIADMK, the regional parties in Tamil Nadu, had the highest total income during 2015-16 respectively among the 32 regional parties in the country. DMK and AIADMK stood first and second in the income according to the annual audit statements submitted to the Election Commission of India.

DMK had the highest income of Rs 77.63 crore among all the regional parties. It was followed by AIADMK, which was in second place with an income of Rs 54.93 crore. The Telugu Desam Party was in third position bit far from the first two with an income of Rs 15.97 crore. ADR released this report on the name of ‘Analysis of Income and Expenditure of Regional Political Parties for FY 2015-16.’

The Election commission of India has made it mandatory for all the political parties to submit the details of their audited reports to the commission in 2014. The total income of all the 32 regional parties came to Rs 221.48 crore. The DMK party itself formed 35% of it. AIADMK and other parties outside Tamil Nadu didn’t quote any income from voluntary contributions. DMK and another party have not mentioned voluntary contributions in the income tax returns but have mentioned donations above Rs 20,000 in the report submitted to the Election Commission of India.