In Gujarat, political parties received a total donation of ₹404.512 crore in a single year. Out of this amount, nearly 99% of the total donations went to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP received ₹401.982 crore in donations in one year, whereas the Congress received ₹2.455 crore.

According to a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) titled Analysis of Donations Received by National Political Parties– FY 2023-24, BJP received 1,373 donations from corporate groups and business houses, amounting to ₹367.2114 crore. So, more than 90% of BJP’s total donations in the year came from corporate entities. In contrast, Congress received ₹2.027 crore from just six corporate groups.

On the other hand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received donations from three corporate entities. BJP also received ₹36.798 crore in donations from 736 individuals. 

Congress received around 30 individual donations. Builders and contractors were among the top donors to political parties. Notably, all political parties are required to submit details of donations received during the financial year to the Election Commission by September 30.

In 2016–17, BJP had received ₹174 crore in donations. In a span of nine years, donations to the BJP have more than doubled.

While individuals cannot deposit money in bank accounts or secure loans without a PAN card, political parties seem to be an exception. In 2023–24, BJP received ₹1.33 crore in donations from Gujarat without PAN card details. Among these, a little-known company named Narayan Realty and Sairuchi donated ₹50 lakh.

Surat, Vadodara, Bharuch-Ankleshwar donated heart out to BJP

The BJP has received donations from companies and individuals based in Surat, many of whom are contractors associated with the Surat Municipal Corporation. These include contractors involved in the construction of flyovers and river bridges, as well as those handling roads, lighting, human resources, garbage collection, and consulting services. 

The donation amounts from these entities range between ₹1 lakh and ₹7 crore. The release of this donor list has stirred discussions in the local political circles of Surat.

Majority of donors linked to municipal corporations

In total, BJP has received around ₹60 crore in donations from Vadodara, Bharuch, Ankleshwar, and Narmada districts. 

Approximately 300 individuals or entities are listed as donors. Most of these are construction companies, though some are major corporations whose individual donations reach up to ₹10 crore. 

Many of these construction companies are tied to Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), engaging in infrastructure projects like roads, drainage, water supply, and stormwater management. It is alleged that in return for donations, these companies are awarded government tenders.

Apart from companies, builders involved in the development of housing societies, flats, and commercial complexes have also contributed. Individual donors have not held back either, with contributions ranging from ₹21,000 to ₹51,000. In addition, a private university has also made a donation, along with several large companies from Por, Padra, and Savli areas of Vadodara district.

In the public disclosures of donations received by political parties in the fiscal year 2023–24, the BJP received ₹2,243.95 crore across the country. Out of this, donations worth ₹401.98 crore came from Gujarat alone, contributed by 1,373 corporate-business entities and 736 individuals — which amounts to 17.91% of the total national donations.

RMC donation contracts?

A significant portion of the donations has come from contractors in Rajkot who have secured high-value contracts from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC). In several instances, decisions taken by the municipal authorities raise suspicion of possible irregularities.

Pawan Construction gave the highest donation — a total of ₹65 lakh across 8 separate transactions in just one year. In Rajkot, besides previous projects, the company recently secured road work tenders worth ₹74.40 crore in the West Zone, approved at 6.30% higher than base value (about ₹2 crore extra). 

Despite the elected body’s term expiring in 9 months, the contract included work for the next financial year instead of only the current one.

Similarly, Classic Network Pvt Ltd was called under the pretence of negotiations but was awarded a ₹104.33 crore road work contract at 12% higher rates — again for two financial years combined. This company donated ₹5.11 lakh to the BJP during this year. Notably, both the companies had separate tenders approved simultaneously. Regardless of the election outcomes in February 2026, these companies will continue the work.

For the iconic bridge project on Kalawad Road, recently inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, a ₹167 crore contract was awarded jointly to Backbone Construction Pvt Ltd and Gawar Construction Ltd. 

The suspicion of corruption arises from the earlier door-to-door garbage collection contract, which was overpriced four times compared to the existing ₹1,100 crore expenses. Back then, a ‘single agency’ condition was enforced to benefit one firm — but for this bridge, that condition was lifted to allow joint contracting. Backbone donated ₹14,24,652 to the BJP this year.

High Bond Infra Pvt Ltd donated lakhs to the BJP. In September 2024, the Standing Committee of the RMC approved a pipeline project worth ₹10.82 crore at an inflated 51.81% rate — despite previously rejecting bids at 40% and 46% higher rates, eventually accepting this one with an inflated rate.

KSD Construction donated ₹18.94 lakh to the BJP and received contracts worth ₹8.85 crore over the last two months.

Armaan Infrastructure was awarded a contract worth ₹3.56 crore at 55% higher rates, after donating ₹1.27 lakh to the BJP.

MJ Solanki and DG Nakrani, contractors supplying outsourced manpower to the RMC, each donated ₹1 lakh to the BJP.

These are just a few examples. A deeper investigation could reveal many more such cases where companies donating to the BJP were awarded contracts at inflated prices.

Major donors for BJP in Rajkot (above ₹1 lakh)

According to available records, the main donors (mostly contractors) from Rajkot who donated more than ₹1 lakh to BJP in FY 2023–24 include:

Pawan Construction – ₹65,00,000

KSD Construction – ₹18,00,000

Backbone Construction – ₹14,24,652

High Bond Infra Pvt Ltd – ₹5,93,642

Classic Network Pvt Ltd – ₹5,11,000

MJ Solanki – ₹1,00,000

DG Nakrani – ₹1,00,000

Doshi Electric Engg Co – ₹3,36,580

Vinay Infratech Pvt Ltd – ₹15,50,000

Marutinandan Construction – ₹6,00,000

Balaji Construction – ₹1,90,000

Pioneer Infrastructure Co. – ₹3,43,000

Ram Construction – ₹1,75,000

RK Construction – ₹3,69,000

Creative Construction Co – ₹2,44,000

Shreeji Devcon India Pvt Ltd – ₹5,00,000

Harshad Construction – ₹24,67,001

Mukesh Manekchand Sheth – ₹2,00,000

Narendra M Patel – ₹5,02,000

Armaan Infrastructure – ₹1,27,512

Siddhanath Construction – ₹2,50,000

Brick Stone – ₹1,16,500

Shree Satguru Developers – ₹2,12,000

Jitendra Equipment – ₹1,12,850