The Bharatiya Janata Party received more than 82% of the Rs 3,826.3 crore distributed by electoral trusts in the 2024–25 financial year, according to a report released on Friday by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The report examined contribution statements submitted to the Election Commission. Of the 20 electoral trusts registered with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), 15 filed their contribution details for 2024–25, and 10 of them reported receiving donations during the year.
Electoral trusts were introduced under the 2013 Electoral Trusts Scheme to receive voluntary contributions from companies and individuals and distribute at least 95% of these funds to political parties registered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Such trusts require approval from the CBDT, which is subject to periodic renewal.
According to the ADR report, a total of Rs 3,826.3 crore was disbursed to political parties during the financial year. The Bharatiya Janata Party received Rs 3,157.6 crore, accounting for 82.5% of the total funds distributed. The Congress received Rs 298.7 crore (7.8%), while the Trinamool Congress received Rs 102 crore (2.6%). Nineteen other political parties collectively received Rs 267.9 crore.
Among the trusts, Prudent Electoral Trust disbursed the highest amount — Rs 2,668.4 crore — to 15 political parties. Progressive Electoral Trust followed, distributing Rs 914.9 crore to 10 parties.
ADR stated that 228 corporate or business entities contributed Rs 3,636.8 crore, while 99 individuals donated Rs 187.6 crore. The top 10 donors together accounted for Rs 1,908.8 crore, nearly 49.8% of the total contributions.
Elevated Avenue Realty LLP emerged as the single-largest donor with a contribution of Rs 500 crore. It was followed by Tata Sons Private Limited, which donated Rs 308.1 crore, and Tata Consultancy Services Limited, which contributed Rs 217.6 crore.
State-wise, Maharashtra was the largest source of contributions at Rs 1,225.4 crore. It was followed by Telangana (Rs 358.2 crore), Haryana (Rs 212.9 crore), West Bengal (Rs 203.8 crore) and Gujarat (Rs 200.5 crore).
In February 2024, the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bond scheme, ruling it unconstitutional on the grounds that it violated the right to information and freedom of speech, and could enable quid pro quo arrangements between donors and political parties.
Electoral bonds were monetary instruments that individuals or corporate entities could purchase from the State Bank of India and donate to political parties, which would then redeem them. The scheme had been introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government in January 2018.