BJP Spent ₹529 Crore On 2026 Assembly Polls in Five Sates, West Bengal Accounted For ₹286 Crore
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The BJP spent ₹529.38 crore across the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal, with West Bengal accounting for more than half of the total expenditure, according to election expenditure statements submitted to the Election Commission.
The figures cover expenditure incurred or authorised during the respective election periods, from the announcement of the polls until their completion. The five elections were held between March and May 2026.
The party's expenditure reports for West Bengal and Kerala were submitted to the Election Commission on August 25, according to the filings.
West Bengal Campaign Cost ₹286.99 Crore
BJP reported gross election expenditure of ₹286.99 crore in West Bengal.
- ₹217.16 crore was spent on general party propaganda.
- ₹69.83 crore was attributed to candidates.
- ₹58.80 crore was provided to candidates.
- ₹6.09 crore was spent on public meetings, processions and related arrangements.
- ₹2.50 crore was spent on publishing candidates’ criminal antecedents.
- General propaganda expenses covered the BJP’s central headquarters, state, district and local units.
- ₹51.50 crore was spent on travel expenses for star campaigners.
- ₹55.76 crore was spent on media advertisements for general party propaganda.
- Star campaigner travel expenses included aircraft and helicopter journeys by senior leaders and campaigners
Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu And Puducherry
The BJP's expenditure across the five states and the Union Territory varied considerably.
The party spent ₹96.26 crore in Assam and ₹82.67 crore in Kerala. The expenditure in Tamil Nadu stood at ₹51.56 crore, while ₹11.89 crore was spent in Puducherry.
West Bengal, at ₹286.99 crore, accounted for roughly 54% of the combined expenditure.
Kerala Report Shows ₹1,494.38 Crore In Receipts
The BJP's Kerala expenditure statement records gross election-period receipts of ₹1,494.38 crore, shown under cheque or draft receipts.
The filing records the opening balance, receipts, expenditure and closing balance of the party's central headquarters along with its Kerala state, district and local units.
After the election period, the BJP's combined closing balance across the relevant accounts was reported at ₹7,689.06 crore in bank balances and cash, according to the expenditure reports.
The filings provide a detailed account of campaign spending on advertisements, travel, publicity material, rallies and candidate-related expenses, as required in post-election expenditure reporting.
