An analysis by the ADR reveals that electoral trusts received Rs 366.495 crore in donations in the fiscal year 2022-23, with the BJP being the largest recipient.
Political parties in India witnessed a surge in donations in the fiscal year 2022-23, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the prime beneficiary. An analysis conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) unveiled that electoral trusts received a staggering Rs 366.495 crore from corporate houses and individuals. Notably, almost the entire amount, Rs 366.48 crore, was distributed among various political parties.
BJP Secures the Lion's Share
The BJP secured a massive 70% of these donations, amounting to Rs 259.08 crore. This trend underscores the party's profound influence and standing in the Indian political landscape. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), with Rs 90 crore, accounted for 24.56% of the total donations, carving out a significant slice of the donation pie.
Minor Share for Other Parties
Other political entities, including the YSR Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Congress, collectively received a minor share of Rs 17.40 crore. This disparity in the distribution of donations highlights the vast financial divide in the political sphere.
Corporate Giants as Major Donors
The top three corporate donors were Megha Engineering and Infrastructure, Serum Institute of India, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel. A group of ten corporates donated a combined Rs 332.26 crore to electoral trusts. Intriguingly, all of them contributed to the Prudent Electoral Trust, underscoring the trust's formidable presence in the arena of political donations.
Regional Contribution to Electoral Trusts
Regionally, donors from Telangana emerged as the largest contributors to these trusts, followed by those from Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, and other states. Out of 18 electoral trusts registered with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), only five reported receiving donations during the year, according to the data submitted to the Election Commission.
In conclusion, this revelation sheds light on the financial dynamics of political parties and electoral trusts, offering a glimpse into the monetary powerplay in the Indian political landscape.