Twenty one parties, including the Congress, the TMC, the AAP, received 17.4% of the contributions received by political organisations

The Bharatiya Janata Party received more than 82% of the Rs 3,826.3 crore disbursed by electoral trusts in the 2024-’25 financial year, according to a report released on Friday by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

The report analysed contribution statements submitted to the Election Commission.

Fifteen of the 20 electoral trusts registered with the Central Board of Direct Taxes submitted their contribution details for financial year 2024-’25 to the Election Commission. Of these, 10 reported receiving donations during the year.

Electoral trusts were introduced under the 2013 Electoral Trusts Scheme. They are set up to receive voluntary contributions from companies and individuals and distribute at least 95% of them to political parties registered under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Approval for such trusts is granted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes and is subject to renewal.

According to the report, Rs 3,826.3 was distributed to political parties in the financial year.

The Bharatiya Janata Party received Rs 3,157.6 crore, amounting to 82.5% of the total funds distributed.

The Congress received Rs 298.7 crore, or 7.8%, while the Trinamool Congress received Rs 102 crore, or 2.6%. Nineteen other parties together 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.

The association said that 228 corporate or business entities contributed Rs 3,636.8 crore, while 99 persons donated Rs 187.6 crore. The top 10 donors together accounted for Rs 1,908.8 crore, nearly 49.8% of total contributions.

Elevated Avenue Realty LLP was the single-largest donor, contributing Rs 500 crore. It was followed by Tata Sons Private Limited with Rs 308.1 crore and Tata Consultancy Services Limited with Rs 217.6 crore.

State-wise, Maharashtra was the largest source of contributions at Rs 1,225.4 crore. It was followed by Telangana at Rs 358.2 crore, Haryana at Rs 212.9 crore, West Bengal at Rs 203.8 crore and Gujarat at Rs 200.5 crore.

In February 2024, the Supreme Court struck down the electoral bond scheme, ruling that it is unconstitutional as it violates the right to information, freedom of speech and could lead to quid pro quo arrangements between donors and political parties.

Electoral bonds were monetary instruments that citizens or corporate groups can buy from the State Bank of India and give to a political party, which then redeemed them. The scheme was introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre in January 2018.