New Delhi, Sep 9: The BJP received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters during the last five state Assembly elections, more than seven times the Rs 207 crore in net receipts reported by the Congress across its central and state units, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission.
The figures relate to the March 15-May 6 election period covering Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.
The Congress reported net receipts of Rs 207.17 crore and expenditure of Rs 248.55 crore during the period, according to its consolidated election expenditure report.
The BJP's statements, which are currently available for Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, show receipts of Rs 1,472.8 crore at its central headquarters alone. Its reports for Kerala and West Bengal are yet to be made public, suggesting the party's overall receipts could be higher.
The BJP's closing balance at its central headquarters also increased substantially during the election period, rising from Rs 6,722.6 crore on March 15 to Rs 7,627.2 crore on May 6 — an increase of Rs 904.6 crore.
In contrast, the Congress' combined cash and bank balance across its headquarters and five state units fell from around Rs 169.06 crore at the beginning of the election period to Rs 103.2 crore at the end, a decline of Rs 65.86 crore.
The BJP's expenditure statements available so far show spending of around Rs 159.7 crore in Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including about Rs 130.4 crore on general party propaganda and the remainder on candidates and related expenses.
Assam accounted for the largest share, with expenditure of Rs 96.27 crore. Of this, Rs 76.73 crore was spent on general propaganda and Rs 19.54 crore on candidates. Advertising and travel by star campaigners accounted for around Rs 37 crore and Rs 27.3 crore, respectively.
In Tamil Nadu, the BJP reported expenditure of Rs 51.56 crore, including Rs 44.51 crore on general propaganda and Rs 7.05 crore on candidates. Media advertisements accounted for Rs 23.96 crore, while star campaigner travel cost around Rs 10.04 crore.
The BJP spent another Rs 11.90 crore in Puducherry, including Rs 9.19 crore on general propaganda and Rs 2.71 crore on candidates.
The Congress, meanwhile, reported spending Rs 143 crore on general party propaganda and Rs 105.55 crore on candidates across the five states, taking its total election expenditure to Rs 248.55 crore.
Its central headquarters spent Rs 40.52 crore on general propaganda, while state and local units spent another Rs 102.49 crore under the same category.
Kerala accounted for the largest share of the Congress' general propaganda expenditure at Rs 59.28 crore, followed by Assam at Rs 22.62 crore.
