BJP’s election spend crosses Rs 529 crore, with over half in West Bengal

The BJP’s total outlay for the recent state assembly polls reached about Rs 529.38 crore, with more than half of that sum poured into West Bengal. Election Commission filings show the central party office recorded this spending across five states. At the close of the cycle, the party’s bank and cash holdings stood at Rs 7,689.06 crore after receiving Rs 1,494 crore during the campaign period. In West Bengal, the party earmarked Rs 217.16 crore for its overall campaign and Rs 69.83 crore for individual candidates, of which Rs 58.80 crore was paid directly to them. The state also saw a total party spend of roughly Rs 286 crore, coinciding with the BJP’s first‑time win that put it in power there. Spending in Assam was Rs 96.26 crore, in Kerala Rs 82.67 crore, in Tamil Nadu Rs 51.56 crore and in Puducherry Rs 11.89 crore. While a candidate’s personal expense limit is fixed, party‑level spending has no ceiling. After each election, parties must file detailed accounts that list costs such as travel, rallies, advertisements and campaign material.