NEW DELHI, Sept 10:
The BJP received nearly Rs 1,473 crore at its central headquarters during the five State Assembly elections held this year, more than seven times the Rs 207 crore reported by the Congress, according to expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission.
The figures relate to the elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal and Assam. The BJP’s receipts at its central office were put at Rs 1,472.8 crore, while the Congress reported net receipts of Rs 207.17 crore through its central and State units during the election period.
The Congress’s election statements covered the period from March 15 to May 6. During this period, the party reported receipts of Rs 207.17 crore and expenditure of Rs 248.55 crore.
The BJP’s available filings showed that its central headquarters alone received Rs 1,472.8 crore. However, the expenditure statements of the BJP for Kerala and West Bengal had not yet been made public. Consequently, the party’s overall receipts relating to the five elections could eventually be higher.
The filings also indicated a significant difference in the financial position of the two parties during the election period. The BJP’s funds increased from about Rs 6,722 crore on March 15 to around Rs 7,627 crore by May 6, an increase of roughly Rs 904 crore.
In contrast, the Congress had about Rs 169 crore in cash and bank balances at the beginning of the election period. By the end of the period, its available funds had declined to around Rs 103 crore, a fall of approximately Rs 65 crore.
The BJP had reported spending about Rs 160 crore on the Assam, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry elections in the available statements. The figures are based on election expenditure and receipt statements submitted to the Election Commission and do not represent the complete funding picture until all pending State-level filings are disclosed.