Congress Received Major Electoral Bond Donations From Healthcare Firms, Data Shows

The Congress party in Kerala has received substantial contributions through electoral bonds from companies operating in the healthcare sector, according to figures available in the public domain. An analysis of electoral bond data indicates that the party received around ₹1,500 crore from 3,141 companies. Of this, a significant portion reportedly came from firms engaged in pharmaceuticals, hospital services, medical retail, laboratory/API manufacturing and health technology.

Data suggests that approximately 15 companies linked to the healthcare sector contributed crores of rupees to the Congress party.

Among hospital and medical retail entities, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospital is reported to have contributed ₹64 crore — the highest amount from the healthcare segment. Contributions were also reported from Lakshmi Medicals and Dheeraj Medicals, with the combined total from these entities amounting to ₹69 crore.

From the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, the Congress is reported to have received a total of ₹74 crore. The contributors include Dr. Reddy's Laboratories – ₹11 crore; Natco Pharma – ₹12.5 crore; Torrent Pharmaceuticals – ₹21 crore; Divi's Laboratories – ₹5 crore; Cipla – ₹17 crore; Zydus Healthcare – ₹2 crore; Micro Labs – ₹3 crore; Ajanta Pharma – ₹1 crore; and Jubilant Life Sciences – ₹1 crore.

There are also reports of contributions from companies linked to medical equipment, laboratories and health technology, including Horizon Medical Supplies (₹4 crore), Dr. Healthtech (₹80 lakh), and Dasami Lab Pvt Ltd (₹5 crore).

The disclosures have triggered political debate, with critics alleging that the party has accepted significant funds from major private players in the healthcare sector while simultaneously criticising government health policies in Kerala.