Electoral Bonds Report: AIADMK’s Majority Donations Linked to Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd.
1 min read 2024-03-18, 11:00 PM IST
Summary
|
The recent release of electoral bonds data by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has shed light on the intricate details of political funding in the country.
In the second set of data unveiled on Sunday, several parties disclosed the names of their donors, revealing intriguing connections. Notably, the prominent IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and its parent company, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd, featured prominently in the list.
CSKCL emerged as the largest donor to the Tamil Nadu-based All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), contributing a substantial ₹5 crore through electoral bonds within a mere two-day span between April 2 and April 4, 2019.
This sizable donation constitutes a significant portion of AIADMK’s total funding received through the electoral bond scheme, amounting to ₹6.05 crore throughout 2018.
Apart from Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd, other notable donors to the AIADMK include Lakshmi Machine Works Limited, based in Coimbatore, which donated ₹1 crore via electoral bonds.
Additionally, an individual named Gopal Srinivasan from Chennai made a contribution of ₹5 lakh to the regional party of Tamil Nadu.
Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) holds ownership of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL), boasting a remarkable record of five tournament titles.
Led by the iconic former Indian cricket team captain, MS Dhoni, CSK is the reigning champion and is poised to kick off its campaign against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening clash on March 22.
CSKCL operates as a subsidiary of India Cements Limited, a renowned cement manufacturing company headquartered in Chennai. With a dominant presence in South India, India Cements holds a market share exceeding 28% in the region.
The company boasts four manufacturing plants in Tamil Nadu and an additional four in Andhra Pradesh, catering to customers across various southern states as well as Maharashtra.
India Cements proudly identifies itself as a sponsor of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise on its official website, showcasing its strong affiliation with the successful IPL team.
The synergy between CSKCL and India Cements underscores the deep-rooted connection between sports and corporate entities, highlighting the significant role played by cricket in India’s cultural and economic landscape.
