The CPI(M) Central Committee Office has written the following letter to Maj. Gen. Anil Verma (Retd.), Head, Association for Democratic Reforms, New Delhi, on July 18, 2023, about the wrong report published by it mentioning that CPI(M) has received electoral bonds. The Party has demanded immediate correction of the error.

WE have gone through the report “Analysis of Donations to Registered Recognised Political Parties, FY 2016-17 to FY 2021-22 Trend Analysis & Comparative Analysis” released by the Association for Democratic Reforms on July 11, 2023.

In the said report we have come across an error with regard to Electoral Bonds. A graph on Page 6 of the report shows that the CPI(M) has received an amount of Rs 63.75 crore through these bonds during the said period. This claim is patently false. The CPI(M) till date has not received any donation through electoral bonds.

The CPI(M) has, right from the inception of the electoral bond scheme, voiced its opposition to the scheme.

You may also be aware that among the three cases challenging the Electoral Bonds Scheme pending before the Supreme Court, one is that of the CPI(M).

Further, the CPI(M) has not designated any bank account for encashing any such bonds received.

This error indicating that the CPI(M) has received funds to the tune of Rs 63.75 crore through electoral bonds in the ADR report is causing harm to the Party and its reputation. Already a report generated by the PTI is showing the CPI(M) amongst others as a recipient of funds through electoral bonds.

We therefore request you to rectify the error immediately and also make a statement regarding this on your website.