Tata group donated Rs 356 crore to BJP

New Delhi, November 12

The BJP received Rs 356 crore in donations from an electoral trust controlled by the Tata Group during 2018-19, according to documents submitted by the ruling party before the Election Commission (EC).

As per information provided by the BJP to the EC on October 31, it received over Rs 700 crore in donations through cheques and online payments during 2018-19.

Around half the contributions — Rs 356 crore — were made by Tata-controlled Progressive Electoral Trust. Meanwhile, India’s richest trust — The Prudent Electoral Trust — gave Rs 54.25 crore in donations to the party, according to the documents.

The Prudent Trust is backed by top corporate houses including Bharti Group, Hero MotoCorp, Jubilant Foodworks, Orient Cement, DLF, JK Tyres, among others. The information provided pertains to donations of Rs 20,000 and above. Donations received in the form of electoral bonds were not included in the filing. — PTI