India, Sept. 10 -- The latest expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission show a major contrast between the finances of the BJP and the Congress during the recent Assembly elections. The BJP received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters alone during the last five State Assembly elections - Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry - more than seven times the Rs 207 crore in net receipts reported by the Congress across its Central and State units.

The contrast is even more striking because the BJP figure covers receipts at its central headquarters alone. Its expenditure reports for Kerala and West Bengal are yet to be made public, which means that its consolidated receipts are likely to be higher. Th...