The BJP spent more than half of its April and May election funds on the Bengal polls

The BJP ousted the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and came to power in Bengal for the first time on May 4, 2026. File | Photo credit: ANI

The BJP spent ₹286.99 crore on the West Bengal assembly elections, more than half of the total ₹529.38 crore the party spent on the recent assembly polls in four states and one Union Territory, according to expenditure declarations filed with the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The Congress spent ₹248.55 crore in all these elections held in April-May.

In Bengal, where it first came to power and ousted the Trinamool Congress, the BJP spent ₹217.16 crore on general campaigning and ₹69.83 crore on candidates. It won 207 of the 293 seats for which results were announced. West Bengal has 294 assembly seats and the EC has ordered in Falta constituency following allegations of serious electoral offenses there.

The Congress spent ₹42.08 crore in Bengal through its central headquarters and state unit. This included expenditure of ₹12.96 crore on general campaigning and ₹29.12 crore on candidates and related expenses. The Grand Old Party won only two of the 293 contested seats.

The CPI(M), which ruled Bengal for decades before losing power in 2011, spent ₹8.23 crore, including expenditure on candidates. It contested 197 seats and won only one.

The expenditure statement of the Trinamool Congress, which is the BJP’s main rival in Bengal, has not yet been released.

Spending in Kerala

In KeralaM, the Congress spent ₹105.34 crore, more than the BJP’s ₹82.67 crore. Of the total Congress expenditure, ₹71.30 crore went to general campaigning and ₹34.05 crore to candidates and related expenses.

The BJP reported an expenditure of ₹82.67 crore — ₹54.93 crore on general campaign and ₹27.74 crore on candidates. In comparison, the CPI(M), which is a major force in Kerala, reported its state unit’s expenditure of ₹28.60 crore. This included ₹26.30 crore for the general campaign and ₹2.31 crore for candidates.

The Congress-led alliance won 102 seats — 63 by the Congress alone, ousting the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front from power in the state. The CPI(M) won 26 and the BJP three. The state assembly has 140 seats.

The BJP reported an expenditure of ₹96.27 crore in Assam, ₹51.56 crore in Tamil Nadu and ₹11.90 crore in Puducherry.

Published – 24 Sep 2026 13:10 IST