“Significantly, PM Narendra Modi had made beef exports an election issue. In a poll rally in Nawada, Bihar, in April 2014, he had referred to ‘pink revolution’. More recently, incidents like the Dadri lynching and the Kerala House raid had led to a debate on ‘intolerance’ with several BJP members speaking against consumption of beef.” – Himanshi Dhawan
BJP received Rs 2.50 crore in donations from companies exporting buffalo meat, according to contribution reports for financial years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 submitted to the Election Commission of India.
In the run-up to Lok Sabha polls in 2014, three companies—Frigorifico Allana Ltd, Frigerio Converva Allana Ltd and Indagro Foods Ltd—contributed Rs 2 crore to the saffron party. All three companies are subsidiaries of Allanasons Ltd with their registered address at Allana House, Allana Road, Colaba, Mumbai. In 2014-2015, Frigorifico Allana Ltd contributed Rs 50 lakh to the party fund. All four transactions were made through Vijaya Bank.
Allanasons Ltd is a leader in buffalo meat exports and describes itself as the “world’s largest producer and exporter of frozen halal boneless buffalo meat, dominating the buffalo meat exports market in India”. The company also deals in vegetable products, spices, cereals and coffee. The company is listed with the stock exchange with Sharjah-based Shiraz A. R. Allana as its promoter.
The BJP listed the companies as donors in its contribution reports. Section 29C of the Representation of People Act, 1951, mandates that political parties must submit their contribution details in excess of Rs 20,000 received from any person or company to the EC annually, in order to enjoy 100% tax exemption. BJP submitted its donation list for 2014-2015 in November.
Significantly, PM Narendra Modi had made beef exports an election issue. In a poll rally in Nawada, Bihar, in April 2014, he had referred to “pink revolution”. More recently, incidents like the Dadri lynching and the Kerala House raid had led to a debate on “intolerance” with several BJP members speaking against consumption of beef.
BJP received the highest amount of donations among national parties in 2014-2015 and declared a total of Rs 437.35 crore as voluntary contributions from donors giving above Rs 20,000. – Times of India, 16 December 2015
» Himanshi Dhawan is a correspondent for The Times of India in East Delhi.
