10 electoral trusts distributed Rs 3,826cr last FY, BJP got 82.5% of donations: ADR

NEW DELHI: An analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms shows that the 10 electoral trusts that declared receiving contributions in FY 2024-25 got a total of Rs 3,826 crore from corporates and individuals, and distributed almost the equivalent amount to various political parties. BJP accounted for 82.5% (Rs 3,157.6 crore) of the total donations received by political parties from electoral trusts.

Congress got 7.8% (Rs 298.7 crore) and TMC 2.6% (Rs 102 crore). Besides them, 19 other parties collectively received Rs 267.9 crore.

The report highlights that 15 of the 20 electoral trusts registered with CBDT submitted their contribution details to EC, and 10 declared having received donations.

According to govt rules, electoral trusts are required to distribute at least 95% of the total contributions received during the financial year along with the surplus brought forward from the earlier FY to eligible political parties.

As many as 228 corporate and business houses contributed Rs 3,636.8 crore to trusts. Nine individuals contributed Rs 187.5 crore to Prudent Electoral Trust and three gave Rs 8 lakh to Einzigartig Electoral Trust. With Rs 500 crore, Elevated Avenue Realty LLP contributed the highest amount, followed by Tata Sons with Rs 308.1 crore, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd with Rs 217.6 crore, and Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd with Rs 175 crore. The top 10 donors gave Rs 1,908.8 crore, making up 49.9% of the total donations. All 10 contributed to Prudent, Progressive and New Democratic Electoral Trusts. tnn


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