BJP MLAs outspent AAP in Delhi polls. Check out the expense report
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates who won the Delhi Assembly elections spent more money during the polls held in February compared to their Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) counterparts, stated a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The candidate expenditure limit for polls was Rs 40 lakh. Out of 69 MLAs analysed — from a total of 70 — 31 (45%) MLAs declared election expenses less than 50% of the limit in their constituencies.
'The party-wise average election expenses show that the average spending for 47 MLAs from BJP is Rs 24.68 lakh (61.7% of the expense limit) and for 22 MLAs from AAP, it is Rs 12.48 lakh (31.2% of the expense limit),' the report said.
The report also said virtual campaigning, despite growing digital outreach in other regions, was almost entirely absent. Only one MLA (1%) declared expenses in this area, highlighting a strong reliance on conventional methods. The top three highest-spending MLAs are all from the BJP. Anil Kumar Sharma from R K Puram reported the highest expenditure at Rs 31.91 lakh (80% of the limit), followed closely by Parduymn Singh Rajput from Dwarka at Rs 31.44 lakh (79%) and Ashish Sood from Janakpuri at Rs 30.68 lakh (77%).
The candidates who spent the least amount of money were from the AAP: Aaley Mohammed Iqbal from Matia Mahal spent only Rs 4.53 lakh (11%) of the permissible amount, Veer Singh Dhingan from Seema Puri spent Rs 6.5 lakh (16%), and Virender Singh Kadian from Delhi Cantonment spent Rs 6.54 lakh (16%), the report said.
The ADR said the average amount of money spent by the MLAs in the Assembly polls was Rs 20.79 lakh, which is 52% of the expense limit.
What was the money spent on?
–Campaign vehicles: 61 (88%) MLAs declared they spent funds on this, 8 (12%) MLAs said they didn't.
–Public meetings: 50 (72%) MLAs declared they have spent funds on these meetings and processions with star campaigners; 19 (28%) MLAs declared that they have not spent on such things (other than those for general party propaganda).
Electronic or print media: 65% declared spending on this aspect.
Campaign workers: 67% reported expenditure in this regard.
Campaign material: 61% of MLAs said they spent money on banners and posters.
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