New Delhi, Jun 20 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the leading spender in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, allocating nearly Rs 1,494 crore, which constitutes 44.56 percent of the total election expenditure. This information was disclosed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Friday, highlighting the financial dynamics of the electoral landscape.

Following the BJP, the Indian National Congress reported expenditures of Rs 620 crore, accounting for 18.5 percent of the total expenses among the 32 national and regional parties analyzed in the ADR report. Collectively, these parties expended Rs 3,352.81 crore during the Lok Sabha elections and simultaneous Assembly elections held in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim from March 16 to June 6, 2024.

The report further revealed that national parties collectively spent over Rs 2,204 crore, representing 65.75 percent of the total expenditure. In terms of funding, national parties amassed Rs 6,930.246 crore, which is 93.08 percent of the total funds collected, while regional parties garnered Rs 515.32 crore, or 6.92 percent.

The analysis is based on the mandatory expenditure statements that political parties must submit to the Election Commission (EC) within 90 days of a general election and within 75 days of a state election. However, the ADR noted significant delays in submissions, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) filing its statement 168 days late, and the BJP’s submissions ranging from 139 to 154 days late, depending on the state. Notably, only the Congress party provided a consolidated report for both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Publicity emerged as the largest expense category, with parties spending Rs 2,008 crore, which accounts for over 53 percent of their total declared expenditure. Travel expenses followed closely, amounting to Rs 795 crore, while lump-sum payments to candidates reached Rs 402 crore. Additionally, over Rs 132 crore was spent on virtual campaigns, and Rs 28 crore was allocated for publishing the criminal records of candidates.

A significant portion of the travel expenses was directed toward star campaigners, with Rs 765 crore (96.22 percent) spent on high-profile party figures, leaving only Rs 30 crore for other leaders.

The ADR raised concerns regarding transparency in political financing, noting that statements from 21 parties, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and Shiv Sena (UBT), were missing from the EC’s website at the time of the report’s preparation. Additionally, the expenditure statements of parties such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Lok Janshakti Party (RVP), All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), and Kerala Congress (M) were not available for the 2024 Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha.

Interestingly, two parties, the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Kerala Congress (M), reported zero expenditures despite contesting in the elections. The ADR also noted that a total of 690 unrecognized political parties participated in the general election, with various numbers contesting in the Assembly polls across the states.

To enhance transparency, the ADR recommended that expenditures should be limited to transactions conducted via cheques, demand drafts, or RTGS, in line with the EC’s transparency guidelines. Furthermore, the ADR urged the Election Commission to appoint observers to monitor party expenditures, similar to the oversight provided for candidate spending.