In a significant revelation, the Election Commission has issued a list disclosing the names of prominent corporate houses in Chhattisgarh that have contributed to electoral bonds. Among the notable names are Kamal Kishor Sarda of Sarda Energy and Minerals, Bhadhur Ali of ABIS, and Baldev Singh Bhatia, popularly known as Pappu Bhatia, of Raipur Bottling Company, Naveen Kedia of Chhattisgarh distilleries Limited
The inclusion of these big names has sparked intrigue, especially considering the exponential growth of their businesses in recent years. Kamal Kishor Sarda's Sarda Energy and Minerals, for instance, has seen a remarkable expansion, raising questions about the source and purpose of the electoral bond donations.
Similarly, ABIS, led by Bhadhur Ali, has ventured into different states owned by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), indicating a strategic alignment with the ruling party.
Of particular interest is the case of Baldev Singh Bhatia, alias Pappu Bhatia, who was subject to a raid a few years ago. Despite the scrutiny, his company, Raipur Bottling Company, has made significant contributions through electoral bonds. This raises concerns about the transparency and legality of the donations, especially considering the timing of the bond purchases.
It is noteworthy that Sarda Energy and Minerals was raided in March, only to purchase electoral bonds in November, suggesting a potential link between the raid and the subsequent political contributions.
Similarly, ABIS expanded its operations into BJP-owned states around the same time it purchased electoral bonds, raising suspicions of quid pro quo arrangements.
The timing of these donations, coupled with the past legal entanglements of some of these corporate entities, underscores the need for a thorough investigation into the source and intent behind the electoral bond contributions.