New Delhi, Sept. 9 -- The BJP received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters during the March 15 to May 6 election period for the five state Assembly polls, more than seven times the Rs 207.17 crore in net receipts reported by the Congress across its central and state units, according to expenditure statements made public by the Election Commission.
The Congress reported total expenditure of Rs 248.55 crore for elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. Its consolidated statement showed receipts of Rs 207.17 crore during the period, leaving the party with a lower balance at the end of the polls.
The BJP's receipts stood at Rs 1,472.8 crore at its central headquarters alone. Its figures are therefore not directly comparable with the Congress' consolidated receipts. The BJP's expenditure statements for Kerala and West Bengal have not yet been made public, which means its final receipts and spending for all five states could be higher.
The BJP also recorded a rise in funds held at its headquarters during the election period. Its closing balance increased from Rs 6,722.6 crore on March 15 to Rs 7,627.2 crore on May 6, a rise of Rs 904.6 crore.
The Congress moved in the opposite direction. Its central headquarters and five state units began the period with around Rs 169.06 crore, comprising Rs 22.9 crore in cash and Rs 146.1 crore in bank accounts. By May 6, the combined balance had fallen to about Rs 103.2 crore, a decline of Rs 65.86 crore.
The BJP's available statements show expenditure of around Rs 159.7 crore in Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. About Rs 130.4 crore went towards general party propaganda, while roughly Rs 29.3 crore was spent on candidates and related expenses.
Assam recorded the highest BJP expenditure at Rs 96.27 crore. Of this, Rs 76.73 crore was spent on general propaganda and Rs 19.54 crore on candidates. Advertising accounted for about Rs 37 crore, while travel by star campaigners cost around Rs 27.3 crore.
In Tamil Nadu, the BJP spent Rs 51.56 crore, including Rs 44.51 crore on general propaganda and Rs 7.05 crore on candidates. Media advertisements cost about Rs 23.96 crore, star campaigner travel Rs 10.04 crore and publicity material around Rs 5.85 crore. In Puducherry, expenditure stood at Rs 11.90 crore.
The Congress spent Rs 143 crore on general propaganda and Rs 105.55 crore on candidates across the five states. Its central headquarters accounted for Rs 40.52 crore of general propaganda spending, while state and local units spent Rs 102.49 crore. Kerala recorded the highest such expenditure at Rs 59.28 crore, followed by Assam at Rs 22.62 crore.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.