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Source
Hindustan Times
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bjp-got-259-cr-in-donations-via-electoral-trust-in-2022-23-adr-101704364566204.html
Author
HT Correspondent
Date
City
New Delhi

BJP received 70.69% of electoral trust donations in 2022-2023, amounting to ₹259.08 crore. BRS received the second highest at ₹90 crore, according to ADR.\

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 259.08 crore as donations through electoral trust in 2022-2023, accounting for 70.69% of all donations made through the medium, according to an analysis of the Association for Democratic Reforms. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) received the second highest electoral trust donations at 90 crore, 24.56% of electoral trust donations, the ADR report said.

Electoral trusts are set up by companies with the objective to distribute the contributions received from other firms and individuals to the political parties. They must donate 95% of contributions received in a financial year to political parties registered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Electoral trusts list the companies and individuals who contribute to them.

Unlike electoral bonds, where buyers of the bonds are anonymous, electoral trusts are more transparent as they mandate reporting the contributors.

According to the analysis, the YSR Congress received 16 crore, the Aam Aadmi Party 90 lakh and Congress 50 lakh as donations through electoral trust.

Of the thirteen electoral trusts that submitted their contribution reports, only five — Prudent Electoral Trust, Samaj Electoral Trust Association, Paribartan Electoral Trust, Triumph Electoral Trust and Einzigartig Electoral Trust —declared contributions from corporate houses and individuals. Contributions from these five electoral trusts were worth 366.495 crore.

Prudent disbursed 99.09% of the money it collected, 363.15 crore, to four political parties --- BJP ( 256.25 crore), BRS ( 90 crore), YSRCP ( 16 crore) and AAP ( 90 lakh). Congress received 50 lakh, its only donation, from Samaj Electoral Trust Association. BJP is the only party to receive donations from multiple electoral trusts.