Reliance-Linked Qwik Supply Donates Rs 395 Cr to BJP, Rs 25 Cr to Shiv Sena

In a significant disclosure, Qwik Supply Chain Private Ltd, a company with connections to Reliance Industries and based in Navi Mumbai's Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City (DAKC), has emerged as a major donor to political parties in India. According to data released by the Election Commission, the firm has contributed a substantial sum of Rs 395 crore to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rs 25 crore to the Shiv Sena over the period between 2021-22 and 2023-24.

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Qwik Supply Chain, primarily engaged in manufacturing warehouses and storage units, stands as the third-largest contributor to political parties through electoral bonds. The company's donations were only surpassed by Future Gaming and Hotel Services, which donated Rs 1,368 crore, and Megha Engineering & Infra based in Hyderabad, with contributions amounting to Rs 966 crore. Another firm with links to Reliance, Honeywell Properties Private Ltd, also made notable contributions of Rs 30 crore exclusively to the BJP in April 2021.

The connection between Qwik Supply Chain and Reliance Industries came under scrutiny last week. However, a spokesperson from Reliance Industries clarified that Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd is not a subsidiary of any Reliance entity but did not comment further on their association.

Established on November 9, 2000, Qwik Supply Chain boasts an authorised share capital of Rs 130.99 crore and a paid-up capital of Rs 129.99 crore. Despite generating revenue exceeding Rs 500 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23, the company's profit figures remain undisclosed. Notably, it purchased electoral bonds worth Rs 360 crore in 2021-22 when its net profit was reported at only Rs 21.72 crore.

The company's board includes three directors and one key management personnel. Tapas Mitra, who also serves on the boards of multiple other companies including some associated with Reliance, is the longest-serving director at Qwik Supply Chain. Vipul Pranlal Mehta and Sridhar Titti are also part of the company's directorial board, with Titti being the most recent addition in November 2023.

Documents from the Registrar of Companies (RoC) reveal that entities such as Reliance Group Support, Reliance Fire Brigade, and Reliance Hospital Management collectively own a majority stake of 50.04% in Qwik Supply Chain. This stake underscores the firm's logistical and supply chain support role for Reliance's retail unit.

In addition to Qwik Supply Chain's contributions, Nexg Devices Pvt Ltd and Infotel Business Solutions, firms linked to Surender Lunia, have also been active in purchasing electoral bonds worth Rs 35 crore and Rs 15 crore respectively across different periods. Lunia is known for selling a significant stake in NDTV held by Reliance-linked firms to the Adani Group.

This revelation about substantial donations from companies with links to major conglomerates like Reliance Industries to political parties raises questions about corporate influence in political funding. The use of electoral bonds as a tool for such transactions continues to be a topic of debate regarding transparency and accountability in political financing.