The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Odisha): The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), under the leadership of Odisha’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has been reported to have received a staggering sum of Rs 944.5 crore through electoral bonds from 2018-19 to 2023-24, up until September. This revelation came from data the BJD submitted to the Election Commission, now accessible on the ECI’s website. The detailed breakdown shows an escalating trend in donations over the years, with the party receiving Rs 213.5 crore in 2018-19, and witnessing a significant spike to over Rs 613 crore in the subsequent years. The year 2021-22 alone saw donations amounting to Rs 291 crore.
Amidst these disclosures, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has voiced concerns over the origins of these funds, notably questioning the involvement of the mining and steel industries. Bobbeeta Sharma, the AICC media coordinator for Odisha, has pointed out the BJD’s rapid ascent to becoming the wealthiest regional party in India, attributing this to investments made through electoral bonds by companies operating within the state.
The Congress has specifically highlighted contributions from major corporate entities including Essel Mining, Utkal Alumina, and Jindal Steel, among others, summing up to substantial amounts. These figures have sparked a debate on the motivations behind such hefty donations and the potential returns for these benefactors.
In a broader accusation, Sharma criticized the BJP for allegedly leveraging central agencies against various corporate houses, correlating it with the party’s significant electoral bond earnings. She insinuated that the BJP’s actions were aimed at undermining the financial foundations of the Indian National Congress, especially in the lead-up to imminent elections.
Queries raised by the Congress seek to uncover the reasons behind the generous donations to the BJD by mine owners and steel magnates, pressing for transparency on the benefits these entities might have received in exchange. The BJD’s response to these allegations and clarifications regarding the use and sources of the electoral bond contributions remain pending.