BJP Spent More in Bengal than Congress Did Across Five State Polls: Election Commision Filings
Election reports show the party spent Rs 529 crore across five state polls, with campaign propaganda and media ads making up much of the bill.
- On September 24, 2026, the Election Commission released reports showing the Bharatiya Janata Party spent Rs 529 crore on five assembly elections held earlier this year, with over 50% allocated to West Bengal.
- In comparison, the Congress reported spending Rs 248.55 crore across four states and a Union territory, which is less than half of the BJP's total expenditure for the same period.
- Within West Bengal, the BJP dedicated Rs 217 crore to general party propaganda and Rs 69 crore to candidate support, showing the state's dominance in overall spending.
- Campaign spending also included unique expenses in West Bengal, such as Rs 4 lakh for nail art featuring party symbols and Rs 50,000 for the Ganga aarti programme.
- Although candidates face legal spending limits, political parties are permitted to spend an unlimited amount on fighting elections, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission.
18 Articles
18 Articles
BJP spent more in Bengal poll than Cong did across 5 state polls
The BJP spent Rs 286.99 crore on the West Bengal elections, surpassing the Congress's total expenditure of Rs 248.55 crore across five states and a Union territory. The report details spending by major parties in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, highlighting significant financial disparities and campaign outlays.
BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: EC filings
Bengal accounted for more than half of the BJP's ₹529.38-crore expenditure on the five elections, the other four being in Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry; the party spent ₹217.16 crore on general campaigning in Bengal and ₹69.83 crore on candidates.
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaBJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings
According to the Election Commission's expenditure statements, BJP spent ₹286.99 crore on the West Bengal elections alone, which is than the Congress' expenditure across four states and a Union territory that went to polls earlier this year. Bengal accounted for more than half of the BJP's Rs 529.38-crore expenditure on the five elections with the other four being in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The party also reported spending Rs 5…
BJP spent Rs 529 cr on the 5 assembly polls this year, more than twice of Congress’ Rs 248 cr
According to expense reports submitted to EC, BJP spent Rs 286.99 cr—over 50%—in Bengal, Rs 82.67 cr in Kerala, Rs 96.26 cr in Assam, Rs 51.56 cr in Tamil Nadu & Rs 11.89 cr in Puducherry.
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