External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has commenced a four-nation diplomatic tour of West Asia as India steps up its engagement with key partners in the strategically important region. The visit comes amid evolving geopolitical developments and is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing regional security cooperation and expanding collaboration in trade, energy and investment.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar's engagements will include high-level meetings with political leaders and senior officials in the four countries. Discussions are also expected to cover regional stability, economic partnerships and issues of mutual strategic interest. The visit reflects India's continued efforts to deepen its presence in West Asia, a region that remains vital for the country's energy security, trade and diaspora interests.

ECI Clarifies Odisha Voter Roll Dispute

In a separate development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has responded to allegations by opposition parties regarding the deletion of names from Odisha's electoral rolls. The controversy emerged after opposition leaders claimed that eligible voters had been excluded during the revision process.

The Commission said that only minor discrepancies had been identified in the draft electoral roll prepared following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. It clarified that the publication of the draft list is part of the regular revision process and that all claims, objections and correction requests will be thoroughly examined before the final electoral roll is notified.

The ECI reiterated that eligible voters would continue to have opportunities to seek corrections or inclusion of their names in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

58 Engineering Colleges Shut Down in One Year

Meanwhile, a report on India's higher education sector has highlighted growing challenges facing technical education. According to the report, 58 engineering colleges across the country have shut down over the past year, reflecting a continued decline in demand for conventional engineering programmes.

Education experts attribute the closures to falling student enrolments, financial constraints, changing employment trends and increasing preference for emerging technology and skill-based courses. Industry observers believe many institutions have struggled to adapt their curriculum to evolving market requirements, making it difficult to attract prospective students.

The findings have renewed calls for reforms in technical education, including stronger industry-academia collaboration, curriculum modernisation and greater emphasis on innovation and practical skills to improve graduate employability.

Together, the three developments underscore significant activity across India's diplomatic, electoral and education sectors, with policymakers expected to closely monitor their implications in the coming weeks.

The Supreme Court will take up Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's challenge against her Rajya Sabha nomination cancellation on Friday, even as the Election Commission maintains it hasn't received the petition copy.

 The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a Congress petition on Friday challenging the rejection of Madhya Pradesh Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan's nomination papers. The petition, filed digitally at 1:48 am on Wednesday night, alleges the Returning Officer's decision was "illegal, arbitrary, and biased."

 EC Yet to Receive Papers

The Election Commission of India has clarified that it hasn't received a copy of the petition so far. According to officials familiar with the matter, the poll body is likely to seek legal opinion before taking any decision. The EC's stance has only added to the political uncertainty, with Congress leaders expressing growing frustration over the delay.

 3 PM Deadline Today

Thursday afternoon's 3 pm cutoff carries enormous weight – it's the final window for nomination withdrawals. If the Commission remains silent or rules against Congress by then, BJP candidate Mahesh Kewat will be declared elected unopposed. Two other BJP candidates, Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Agrawal, are already set to win without contest, which would hand the BJP all three Rajya Sabha seats from Madhya Pradesh.

Congress leaders are scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu later today to raise the matter. A high-level strategy meeting is also underway at the party's Delhi headquarters to map out legal and political responses.

 What Happens Next

Legal experts point to several possible outcomes. Former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat said if the EC finds an error by the returning officer, Natarajan's nomination could be restored, making the election contested again. If no relief comes from the Commission, the Congress candidate stays out of the race.

The 3 pm deadline is critical because any EC decision favouring Congress must arrive before the withdrawal window shuts. If that doesn't happen, the party may seek judicial review and interim relief from the Supreme Court – though filing a petition alone won't stop the election process unless the Court intervenes.

 Why Nomination Was Rejected

The dispute traces back to June 9, when Returning Officer Arvind Sharma rejected Natarajan's nomination following objections raised by BJP candidates. The BJP alleged that Natarajan failed to disclose a pending legal matter in Telangana in her election affidavit (Form 26).

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Congress before the Election Commission, argued that no criminal case exists against Natarajan. He explained that the Telangana matter is only a private complaint where a court issued a notice seeking explanation – no charges have been framed. Congress maintains that unless a court formally takes cognisance and frames charges, it cannot be treated as a pending criminal case requiring disclosure.

The party has termed the rejection "illegal" and described it as an attempt to "steal seats." With the clock ticking, this has now escalated into a political and constitutional battle involving the Election Commission, the Supreme Court, and the President's office.

A 10-member delegation met poll officials in Delhi, which assured a decision within two hours. In Bhopal, Congress workers hung an RSS uniform at the CEO office gate.

The Congress party on Wednesday knocked on the doors of the Election Commission of India (ECI), challenging the rejection of its Rajya Sabha candidate Meenakshi Natarajan’s nomination papers in Madhya Pradesh. The move came less than 24 hours after Returning Officer (RO) Arpit Sharma invalidated her candidature, triggering sharp political reactions and street protests across the state.

Delhi Meeting, EC Assurance

A Congress delegation, including senior leaders K.C. Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Bhupesh Baghel, and Sachin Pilot, met with poll officials in the capital. Party MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a senior advocate, argued that the RO’s decision had no legal basis.

“The grounds on which the nomination was rejected do not exist in the law. There was no criminal case that required disclosure,” Singhvi told reporters after the meeting. He clarified that Natarajan had only received a court notice, not a formal charge. “A notice asking if proceedings should begin is not a pending criminal case.”

According to Leader of Opposition in the MP Assembly Umang Singhar, the Commission assured the delegation of a decision within two hours.

Bhopal Protest Turns Symbolic

In the state capital, the protest took an unusual turn. Congress workers gathered outside the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) but found the gates shut. In response, they hung a uniform of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the main gate before leaving the spot.

The action was a direct rejoinder to the BJP’s repeated claims linking Congress to a specific ideological posture. Meanwhile, a separate collective fast was underway at Roshanpura Square in Bhopal, where former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh and several other leaders sat on a day-long hunger strike.

The Legal Dispute

The controversy revolves around a private complaint filed against Natarajan in a Hyderabad court. The RO had cited the non-disclosure of this case, arguing that a summons issued on September 17, 2025, made it a “pending” matter.

Singhvi, however, rejected this interpretation. “Under election law, a candidate only needs to disclose cases where the court has taken cognizance and framed charges for an offence carrying two years or more in jail. Here, the magistrate hasn’t even taken cognizance yet,” he explained. He termed the RO’s decision “legally malicious.”

A Contrast in Jharkhand

Adding to Congress’s argument of a double standard, party workers pointed to a simultaneous election process in Jharkhand. There, the RO has declared the nomination of NDA-backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani as valid, despite objections from Congress over discrepancies in his name on affidavits.

A Congress functionary noted that while the Jharkhand RO gave time until the next day to respond to objections, the MP RO rejected Natarajan’s form within hours of raising a query. “Two states, two rules in one election,” said state women’s Congress chief Reena Borasi.

Political Fallout

The ruling BJP dismissed the protests as a face-saving tactic. State minister Vishwas Sarang alleged the Congress deliberately filed a defective nomination, fearing cross-voting by its own MLAs. “They knew at least 25 of their legislators would vote for our candidate. To save their own shame, they got the form cancelled,” Sarang claimed.

Congress legislators, however, remained defiant. Some lawmakers in Bhopal raised the pitch, with MLA Dinesh Gurjar making sharp remarks about being the “first to throw a stone” at the chief minister’s residence if a protest was called. Other leaders, like Vikrant Bhuria, labelled the poll panel a "commission of brokers."

With the last date for withdrawal of nominations still open, the Congress has indicated it may approach the Supreme Court if the EC does not rule in its favour.

Firing Outside BJP Leader's House in Bengal, 2 Arrested as Tensions Rise Ahead of Vote Counting

Two held after late-night shooting triggers panic in Noapara

A day before the counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections, police arrested two individuals after shots were fired outside the residence of a BJP leader in North 24 Parganas district late Saturday night, adding to the already charged political atmosphere across the state.

BJP leader Kundan Singh filed a complaint alleging that unidentified persons opened fire outside his house in the Noapara assembly constituency, according to police officials. The incident caused panic among local residents, though no injuries have been reported.

Based on CCTV footage from the area, police made two arrests by Sunday morning. A senior officer declined to confirm whether the detained individuals were connected to any political party, stating only that investigations were ongoing.

Repolling ordered across 285 Falta booths

The Election Commission of India has ordered fresh polling across all 285 polling stations of the Falta assembly seat in South 24 Parganas district, scheduled for May 21. The decision follows reports of irregularities and violence during the second phase of voting in the constituency.

BJP leader Amit Malviya claimed that the "Diamond Harbour model has crumbled" following the EC's order, a remark that drew a sharp response from TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee.

Banerjee throws down the gauntlet

The Lok Sabha MP from Diamond Harbour and Mamata Banerjee's nephew challenged the BJP to field its top candidates against him in Falta. In a post on X, Abhishek Banerjee said it would take "ten lifetimes for the anti-Bengal gang to put a dent in the Diamond Harbour model."

West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar responded by expressing confidence about the repoll, claiming there would be "no rigging, no booth capture, no intimidation" this time.

Allegations fly over strong room access

In a separate development, a TMC worker alleged that a white car bearing the BJP logo and the word "Army" written on its rear was allowed to enter a strong room in Kolkata without proper checking. "How can any car be allowed to enter inside?" the worker asked.

The TMC has also questioned the EC's decision to restrict repolling only to Falta, with party MP Saugata Roy calling the move "unsatisfactory" and "not justified."

Three-layer security for counting day

The Election Commission has announced a three-layer security system for counting centres across West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Mamata Banerjee held a workshop with TMC workers in Purulia on Saturday, instructing party agents to remain alert and not leave counting centres under any circumstances. Meanwhile, BJP candidates across the state visited temples for prayers, and BJP women workers have planned a 24-hour vigilance demonstration outside strong rooms.

Supreme Court Rejects TMC Plea Against Central Staff Deployment for Bengal Vote Counting

Bench upholds EC’s authority to appoint PSU, government employees as counting supervisors; TMC had alleged political bias

The Supreme Court on Saturday dismissed a petition filed by the All India Trinamool Congress challenging the appointment of central government and public sector undertaking employees as counting supervisors for the West Bengal Assembly elections.

A special bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi ruled that the Election Commission’s circular issued on April 13, 2026, would remain in force and that no separate court order was required on the matter.

No relief from top court

The TMC had approached the Supreme Court after the Calcutta High Court turned down its objections last week. The party argued that deploying only central and PSU employees as counting supervisors could influence the counting process in favour of political opponents.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for TMC, told the bench that his party did not expect justice from the Election Commission. The court, however, declined to intervene, stating that no direction could be issued to the poll body on this question.

High Court had upheld EC’s jurisdiction

The Calcutta High Court had earlier rejected the TMC’s plea, observing that the appointment of counting personnel falls squarely within the Election Commission’s jurisdiction. The court found no illegality in the move and noted that allegations of political influence on central government employees remained unsubstantiated.

The High Court had also said any grievances regarding the counting process could be raised through an election petition after the results.

EC defends its authority

Responding to the developments, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said political parties do not have the right to decide who should be part of the counting process. “The entire process is under the jurisdiction of the returning officer,” he told reporters in Kolkata.

Election Commission officials added that the April 13 circular was issued to ensure transparency and uniformity across all counting centres.

What happens next

Counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled over the coming week. With the Supreme Court’s dismissal, central government and PSU employees will continue to serve as counting supervisors across the state’s 294 constituencies.

Political observers say the ruling removes a last-minute procedural hurdle but could keep tensions high between the state government and the poll body. TMC has not indicated whether it plans to file a review petition.

Section 163 Imposed Outside Kolkata Strong Rooms Amid EVM Tampering Row; Mamata Spends 4 Hours at Bhabanipur Facility

Security tightened at seven locations until May 4 as TMC and BJP trade allegations over strong room access and postal ballot handling

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been clamped outside strong rooms across Kolkata until May 4, with authorities moving to restrict unlawful assembly and movement in sensitive areas following overnight tensions over alleged unauthorised access to EVM storage facilities.

The restrictions cover seven locations including Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, Hastings House Complex, APC Roy Polytechnic College, St. Thomas Boys’ High School, Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School, Ballygunge Government High School, and Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University.

Late Night Visit

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spent approximately four hours inside the strong room at Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School late Thursday night, emerging around 12:30 am. Officials said she visited the facility after her party raised concerns over suspected irregular activity.

Speaking after the visit, Banerjee warned of strong resistance against any attempt to tamper with EVMs or manipulate the vote count. She alleged that central forces briefly stopped her from accessing the area outside the strong room before she was allowed entry.

Protest at Khudiram Kendra

Trouble first flared around 8 pm at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where TMC candidate Kunal Ghosh and minister Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest. The demonstration came after a video shared by the TMC on X showed what the party claimed were Election Commission officials along with BJP members attempting to open ballot boxes.

Election Commission officials tried to convince the TMC leaders, but they continued their strike until around 9 pm. Seeing the gathering of both TMC and BJP workers swell, a large number of security forces were deployed. By 9:30 pm, BJP workers accused the Bengal Police of lathi charge amid sloganeering and uproar.

EC Clarifies Position

The Election Commission of India has rejected all tampering allegations. In a statement, officials clarified that seven Assembly constituency strong rooms are located within the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, all of which were closed and sealed in the presence of candidates, election agents, and the General Observer after polling concluded. The final strong room was sealed at approximately 5:15 am.

The Commission stated that a separate strong room within the premises has been designated for postal ballots. Segregation of ballots was carried out from 4 pm in the corridor outside the strong rooms, and political parties were formally informed via email.

Political Reactions

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claimed on social media that the party’s election agent, advocate Suryaneel Das, remained inside the strong room premises during Banerjee’s visit and kept a close watch to ensure no irregular activity took place.

State BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya said Banerjee is “unable to digest her defeat,” adding that if she believes the BJP and the Election Commission are synonymous, she should approach the Supreme Court. BJP leader Rahul Sinha asserted that Banerjee has “accepted defeat even before counting.”

TMC MP Saugata Roy maintained that “unauthorised people entered the strong room from outside” and alleged that some individuals from Gujarat were shouting slogans outside the school where votes for the Chief Minister’s constituency will be counted.

Security Beefed Up

Kolkata Police Joint Commissioner Rupesh Kumar said additional CAPF and state forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, with extra guard rails placed at key locations. Access to CCTV footage of strong rooms will be restricted to authorised personnel only, with parties required to submit names of agents who can view the feed.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will hold a virtual meeting on Friday with counting agents and key party stakeholders to review preparedness ahead of the vote count.

Mamata Banerjee Files Nomination from Bhabanipur as Bengal Poll Battle Heats Up

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday filed her nomination papers from the Bhabanipur assembly constituency in Kolkata, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in the upcoming state elections. The move comes amid growing tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the Election Commission over voter list revisions and official transfers.

High-Profile Clash in Kolkata Seat

Bhabanipur, a traditional TMC stronghold in south Kolkata, has emerged as one of the most watched constituencies in the 2026 West Bengal assembly polls. Mamata Banerjee, who has represented the seat in the past, arrived at the Survey Building to submit her papers. Shortly after filing, she addressed supporters, extending greetings across communities and pledging to work not just for Bhabanipur but for every corner of the state.

“I extend my greetings, my thanks, my respects, my salaam, my Jai Jinendra and Sat Shri Akaal to everyone. Today, as I filed my nomination, I want to say that along with the Bhabanipur constituency, I will work for every centre and every area. We will form the government,” Banerjee said.

Suvendu Adhikari Named BJP Candidate

The BJP has fielded Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, from the same seat. Adhikari, a former TMC leader who switched sides and defeated Banerjee from Nandigram in 2021, filed his nomination earlier on April 2. The direct contest between the two senior leaders has turned Bhabanipur into a symbolic battleground for urban and political dominance in Bengal.

TMC Delegation’s Tense Meeting with CEC

Meanwhile, a TMC delegation led by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien met the Chief Election Commissioner on Wednesday morning to raise concerns over the transfer of officials and the conduct of free and fair polls. The meeting lasted barely five minutes and ended on a sour note.

O’Brien later claimed that the CEC told the delegation to “get lost” within seven minutes. “The meeting started at 10:02 AM and ended at 10:07 AM. When we told him that you are transferring officials, and how you would want to conduct a free and fair election? And then he said, leave from here,” O’Brien alleged.

ECI Urges Decorum, Denies Allegations

Election Commission sources, however, countered the claim, stating that O’Brien was asked to maintain decorum in the Commission room. Officials described the behaviour as inappropriate and clarified that shouting is not acceptable during such meetings. The poll panel has repeatedly vowed to ensure fear-free elections in West Bengal, which is scheduled to vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

Massive Voter List Revision Sparks Row

The controversy comes days after the Election Commission released the final voter list following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Nearly 91 lakh names — about 11.85 per cent of the electorate — were deleted from West Bengal’s rolls since the exercise began last November. Of these, over 27 lakh were removed after judicial scrutiny of cases placed under adjudication.

The deletions have reduced the state’s electorate significantly, from around 7.66 crore to roughly 6.75 crore. TMC leaders have questioned the timing and scale of the revisions, while the Commission maintains the process was aimed at cleaning up the rolls and removing ineligible entries.

Broader Poll Landscape in Eastern States

As activity intensifies in Bengal, polling preparations are in full swing in other states going to the polls shortly. Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry are set to vote in a single phase on April 9, with campaigning concluding on Tuesday evening. EVMs and polling materials have already been dispatched to booths across these regions.

In Tamil Nadu, senior DMK leaders including Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin continued their campaign trail on Wednesday, highlighting welfare schemes such as housing for over 10 lakh people and free laptops for students.

Opposition Voices and Campaign Rhetoric

BJP leaders, meanwhile, have kept up their attack on the TMC government. Senior BJP MP Nishikant Dubey stressed the need to restore Bengal’s identity, while other candidates raised issues of law and order and women’s empowerment. The party released its sixth list of candidates for the state recently.

The Trinamool Congress has accused the poll body of bias and demanded a level playing field. The Election Commission has dismissed such charges and called for all parties to cooperate in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

What Lies Ahead for Bengal Voters

With nominations underway and the model code of conduct in force, the focus now shifts to campaigning and ground-level mobilisation. The Bhabanipur contest is expected to draw national attention as a test of strength between Banerjee and Adhikari. Larger issues such as voter list accuracy, official neutrality, and development promises will dominate the narrative in the days to come.

The final electoral rolls are now frozen, and the stage is set for what promises to be a fiercely fought assembly election in West Bengal. Both the ruling TMC and the BJP are leaving no stone unturned to consolidate their support bases ahead of the crucial polling dates in late April.

Under the Indian Constitution, extending President's Rule beyond one year isn't a simple administrative "check-the-box" task. It involves rigorous legal hurdles that are currently putting the spotlight back on Article 356 and the restoration of democracy in the Northeast.

The Numbers Game: Manipur’s History with Article 356

While Jammu & Kashmir holds the record for the most days under central control, Manipur holds a different, perhaps more troubling, record.

• Most Frequent Use: Manipur has seen President's Rule imposed 11 times since 1953, the highest for any Indian state.

• Political Shifts: Statistically, in nearly two-thirds of cases nationwide, the ruling party changes once President's Rule is lifted.

• Duration: Punjab follows J&K in terms of total days, but Manipur’s frequent instability highlights a recurring breakdown of constitutional machinery.

Why the One-Year Mark is a Legal "Dead End"

According to the provisions of the Indian Constitution, President's Rule is initially granted for six months. It can be extended for another six months with parliamentary approval. However, to cross the one-year threshold, two specific conditions must be met under Article 356:

1. National Emergency: A National Emergency (Article 352) must be in operation in the whole of India or the specific state.

2. ECI Certification: The Election Commission of India (ECI) must certify that holding general elections to the Legislative Assembly is difficult due to the prevailing situation.

Currently, India is not under a National Emergency. Therefore, unless the ECI officially declares that Manipur is too unstable for elections, the Center has no legal choice but to restore the state government or conduct polls.

The Role of the Governor and Article 365

The imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur usually stems from a report by the Governor stating that the state cannot be governed according to constitutional provisions.

Interestingly, Article 365 provides another trigger: if a state fails to comply with directions from the Center, the President can deem it a failure of constitutional machinery. In Manipur's case, the prolonged ethnic violence and the inability of the local administration to maintain order made the transition to central rule inevitable a year ago.

The "S.R. Bommai" Shield

The misuse of Article 356 has been a point of contention in Indian politics for decades. However, the landmark S.R. Bommai Case (1994) changed the game. The Supreme Court ruled that:

• The President’s proclamation is subject to judicial review.

• The court can examine if the decision was based on "malafide intention" (bad faith).

• The state assembly should only be dissolved after Parliament approves the proclamation, not before.

This means the Center cannot indefinitely keep Manipur under its thumb without facing judicial scrutiny, especially if the "malafide" argument is raised by the opposition.

What Lies Ahead for Manipur?

As the February 13 deadline nears, the "binding" nature of the law forces a decision. The Center must either facilitate the return of a popular government or present a compelling case to the ECI regarding the security situation. For the people of Manipur, the end of President's Rule represents a hope for the return of local representation and a move toward long-term peace.

Electoral Trust Donations Surge After Electoral Bonds Ban

Electoral trust donations have touched a massive ₹3,811 crore in the financial year 2024–25, marking a sharp rise in political funding after the Supreme Court banned electoral bonds earlier this year. According to data submitted by electoral trusts to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the biggest beneficiary, receiving ₹3,112 crore, which is nearly 82% of the total donations.

In contrast, the Congress received ₹299 crore, accounting for less than 8% of the total funds, highlighting a widening gap in political fundraising through formal and transparent channels.

What Are Electoral Trust Donations?

Electoral trust donations refer to funds collected by registered electoral trusts from companies and individuals and then distributed to political parties. These trusts are required to:

 Disclose donor details to the Election Commission

 Transfer funds only through banking channels

 Distribute at least 95% of collected funds within the same financial year

This mechanism has gained importance after the electoral bonds ban, as it offers greater transparency in political funding.

Donations Triple Compared to Last Year

According to ECI data available till 20 December, 9 out of 19 registered electoral trusts donated ₹3,811 crore in 2024–25. This is more than three times the ₹1,218 crore donated in 2023–24, showing how quickly political funding patterns have shifted.

All parties other than the BJP together received around ₹400 crore, roughly 10% of the total donations.

Prudent and Progressive Trusts Lead BJP Funding

The Prudent Electoral Trust was the largest contributor:

 Total donation: ₹2,668 crore

 To BJP: ₹2,180.07 crore (82%)

 To Congress: ₹21.63 crore

Major corporate donors to Prudent include Jindal Steel & Power, Megha Engineering, Bharti Airtel, Aurobindo Pharma, and Torrent Pharmaceuticals.

The Progressive Electoral Trust, the second-largest donor, contributed:

 Total: ₹914.97 crore

 To BJP: ₹757.62 crore

 To Congress: ₹77.34 crore

Together, these two trusts accounted for the bulk of BJP funding in the current financial year.

Electoral Bonds Ban Reshapes Political Funding

Electoral bonds, introduced in 2018, were struck down by the Supreme Court in February 2024 due to concerns over lack of transparency. In 2023–24 alone, 43% of BJP’s total donations came through electoral bonds.

After the ban, electoral trust donations have become the primary legal and transparent route for corporate political contributions.

Why This Matters Now

Experts say the latest data raises important questions about political finance balance, corporate influence, and electoral fairness. While transparency has improved, the heavy concentration of funds with one party may influence future policy debates and electoral competition.

As India heads into a politically active phase, electoral trust donations will remain under close public and regulatory scrutiny, shaping the future of political funding in the country.