Electoral bonds: From lottery to milkshake firms, top 20 donors gave nearly Rs 6,000 crore

Some of the big names in the list of top-20 donors include Vedanta (Rs 401 crore), Essel Mining and Industries (Rs 225 crore), and Bharti Airtel (Rs 198 crore).

The biggest political donors over the last five years gave nearly Rs 6,000 crore to parties through electoral bonds, according to data submitted by the State Bank of India (SBI) to the Election Commission of India on March 14.

Topping the list is lottery firm Future Gaming and Hotel Services, which donated Rs 1,368 crore – a stunning 11 percent of all electoral bonds that were bought in the country before the scheme was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (SC).

Also Read: Meet the donors – Hyderabad-based infra major, a Coimbatore lottery company

At the second spot is Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd with Rs 966 crore.

Some of the big names in the list of top 20 donors include Vedanta (Rs 401 crore), Essel Mining and Industries (Rs 225 crore), and Bharti Airtel (Rs 198 crore).

Interestingly, at 9, 10, and 11 are Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd, MKJ Enterprises, and Madanlal Ltd. According to the website of Madanlal Ltd, "The company is a part of MKJ Group & Keventer Group of companies. The company is engaged in the purchase and sale of securities and real estate ".

Also Read: BJP tops in electoral bond encashment with over Rs 6,000 crore

MKJ Enterprises' website says it is "the pioneer in stainless steel business in India. The company has been trading in stainless steel for over a decade, having handled substantial domestic business".

According to the latest available financial results of MKJ Enterprises, its total net income from operations in the last quarter of 2021 was just under Rs 80 crore.

In 2020-21, its total net income from operations was Rs 193 crore. However, MKJ Enterprises, on its own, has donated Rs 192 crore via electoral bonds, with Madanlal Ltd, having given a further Rs 186 crore.

FMCG firm Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd, makers of popular products such as milkshakes, also bought electoral bonds to the tune of Rs 195 crore. All in all, the three companies bought bonds worth Rs 573 crore in the last five years.