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NEW DELHI: The BJP spent ₹286.99 crore on the West Bengal elections, exceeding the ₹248.55 crore that the Congress spent across five states and a Union territory that held elections earlier this year, according to reports submitted to the Election Commission. West Bengal constituted more than half of the BJP’s total expenditure of ₹529.38 crore in the five elections, including West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. The BJP allocated ₹217.16 crore for general campaigning in Bengal and an additional ₹69.83 crore for candidates and related expenses, as reported by news agency PTI. The party achieved a historic victory in West Bengal, securing 207 out of the 293 seats for which results were announced.
BJP’s Expenditure in Bengal Exceeds Congress’ Total Spending in Five States
The Congress, contesting 293 seats on its own in Bengal despite its limited footprint in the region, managed to win only two seats. The party disclosed an expenditure of ₹42.08 crore in Bengal through its central and state units. Of this amount, ₹12.96 crore was directed towards general campaigning, while ₹29.12 crore was allocated for candidates and related expenses. The CPI(M), which governed Bengal for decades before losing power in 2011, contested in 197 seats and won just one. Its state unit reported expenses of ₹8.23 crore, including candidate expenditures. The expenditure report of the Trinamool Congress, the BJP’s primary competitor in Bengal, has yet to be released.
Congress Exceeds BJP’s Spending in Kerala
Kerala demonstrated a different spending trend. The Congress-led coalition displaced the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, with the Congress winning 63 seats compared to the CPI(M)’s 26 seats. The BJP secured three seats.
The Congress spent ₹105.34 crore in Kerala through its central and state units, surpassing the BJP’s ₹82.67 crore. Of the Congress’ total expenditure, ₹71.30 crore was on general campaigning, while ₹34.05 crore was spent on candidates and associated costs. The BJP reported spending ₹54.93 crore on general campaigning and ₹27.74 crore on candidates in Kerala.
