Prakash Ambedkar says Torrent Group donated to several parties via electoral bonds, cites Saidongar project

A major controversy has erupted in the state after trees were felled at Saidongar in Karjat. Karjat residents, environmental activists and leaders of various parties are sharply criticising the move and opposing the project. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar has now made a fresh claim about the project, targeting the opposition as well as the ruling side.

Ambedkar called a press conference to speak on the Torrent project coming up at Saidongar in Karjat. He said the BJP, as well as the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Shiv Sena and the Aam Aadmi Party, had taken political donations from Torrent.

Ambedkar said Torrent Power gave money to different parties through electoral bonds. According to the figures he cited, the BJP received Rs 76 crore, the Congress Rs 17 crore, the Nationalist Congress Party Rs 3.5 crore, the Shiv Sena Rs 3 crore and the Aam Aadmi Party Rs 7 crore.

He also raised the matter of Torrent Pharmaceuticals. According to Ambedkar, this company too donated to parties through electoral bonds. He said the BJP was given Rs 61 crore, the Congress Rs 5 crore, the Aam Aadmi Party Rs 1 crore, the Samajwadi Party Rs 3 crore and the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha Rs 7 crore. He also said the Sikkim Democratic Front received Rs 50 lakh. Adding up the donations from both companies, Ambedkar said the BJP received a total of Rs 137 crore and the Congress Rs 22 crore.

Ambedkar said leaders of the parties that took money from the Torrent Group are now standing with farmers in Karjat. He asked these parties to make clear whether they would stand with the Torrent Group or with the people fighting to save the Sahyadris.

Meanwhile, the proposal to fell 32,490 trees for the Saidongar project has angered local residents and environmental activists. The issue of environment versus development has come into focus over the 3,000 MW project. The tree felling has reportedly been halted for now after the protests grew.

All eyes are now on what stand the parties concerned take on the electoral bond issue raised by Ambedkar.