The Congress spent ₹248.55 crore for all these elections held in April-May.
In Bengal where it came to power for the first time, ousting the Trinamool Congress, the BJP spent ₹217.16 crore on general campaigning and ₹69.83 crore on candidates.
The Congress spent ₹42.08 crore in Bengal through its central headquarters and the State unit.
Spending in KeralamIn KeralaM, the Congress spent ₹105.34 crore, more than the BJP’s ₹82.67 crore.
The BJP reported spending ₹82.67 crore — ₹54.93 crore on general campaigning and ₹27.74 crore on candidates.
The BJP spent ₹286.99 crore on West Bengal Assembly elections, which is more than half of the total of ₹529.38 crore that the party spent on the recent Assembly polls in four States and one Union Territory, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Congress spent ₹248.55 crore for all these elections held in April-May.
In Bengal where it came to power for the first time, ousting the Trinamool Congress, the BJP spent ₹217.16 crore on general campaigning and ₹69.83 crore on candidates. It won 207 of 293 seats for which results were declared. West Bengal has 294 Assembly seats, and the EC ordered a repoll in Falta constituency following allegations of severe electoral offences there.
The Congress spent ₹42.08 crore in Bengal through its central headquarters and the State unit. This included an expenditure of ₹12.96 crore on general campaigning and ₹29.12 crore on candidates and related expenses. The grand old party won merely two of the 293 seats contested.
The CPI(M), which ruled Bengal for decades before losing power in 2011, spent ₹8.23 crore, including expenditure on candidates. It contested 197 seats and won only one.
The expenditure statement of the Trinamool Congress, which is the BJP’s principal rival in Bengal, has not been made public yet.
Spending in Keralam
In KeralaM, the Congress spent ₹105.34 crore, more than the BJP’s ₹82.67 crore. Of the Congress’ total outlay, ₹71.30 crore went towards general campaigning and ₹34.05 crore towards candidates and related expenses.
The BJP reported spending ₹82.67 crore — ₹54.93 crore on general campaigning and ₹27.74 crore on candidates. In comparison, the CPI(M), which is a major force in Keralam, reported an expenditure of ₹28.60 crore by its State unit. This included ₹26.30 crore on general campaigning and ₹2.31 crore on candidates.
The Congress-led alliance won 102 seats — 63 by the Congress alone, throwing the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front out of power in the State. The CPI(M) won 26 and the BJP three. The State Assembly has 140 seats.
The BJP reported spending ₹96.27 crore in Assam, ₹51.56 crore in Tamil Nadu and ₹11.90 crore in Puducherry.
