BJP received donations from companies exporting buffalo meat

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New Delhi: Guess which political party received donations from buffalo meat exporting companies in the run-up to Lok Sabha polls last year. It's the Bharatiya Janata Party!

Yes, as per data submitted to the Election Commission of India, the BJP received Rs 2.50 crore in donations from firms exporting buffalo meat, The Times of India reported.

These companies have been listed as Frigorifico Allana Ltd, Frigerio Converva Allana Ltd and Indagro Foods Ltd.

While Rs 2 crore were contributed by all three companies ahead of the General Elections last year, Rs 50 lakhs were given in 2014-2015 by Frigorifico Allana Ltd.

All these companies are subsidiaries of Allanasons Ltd which is a world leader in buffalo meat exports.

The parent company describes itself as the "world's largest producer and exporter of frozen halal boneless buffalo meat, dominating the buffalo meat exports market in India".

As per the report, the firm also deals in vegetable products, spices, cereals and coffee.

The data was submitted to the EC by the BJP itself, under Section 29C of the Representation of People Act, 1951, which makes it mandatory for political parties to apprise EC annually of contributions received in excess of Rs 20,000 from any person or company.

It may be noted that the BJP, ideologically, is against beef consumption and has made it election issue on several occasions.

Groups associated with the BJP or its parent organisation RSS have been linked to several violent incidents against beef consumption.