BJP MLAs Spent More On Election Campaign

Himachal This Week

The election results were announced long ago and the BJP has formed the government in Himachal with an overwhelming majority. However, the victory has not come for cheap for BJP. The BJP’s victorious MLAs have spend more money as compared to MLAs from rival parties. This fact was revealed in an analysis report released by Himachal Pradesh Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on the basis of all 68 election expenditure statements submitted after the Himachal Pradesh 2017 Assembly for newly elected MLAs.

The party wise average election expenses shows that the average spending for 44 MLAs from BJP is Rs 16.99 lakh (60.7% of the expense limit) while for 21 MLAs from INC, the average election expenditure is Rs 11.80 lakh (42.2% of the expense limit).

The average election expenditure for two independent MLAs is Rs 16.94 lakh (60.5% of the expense limit). One MLA from CPI (M) has spent Rs. 8.21 lakh (29.3% of the expense limit).

Notably, according to Section 78 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every contesting winner has to lodge a true copy of his election expenses within 30 days from the date of declaration of result of election, with the District Election Officer in all states and union territories. The expenditure limit during the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections was Rs. 28 lakh. These election expense documents include details of expenses on public meeting and processions, campaigning through electronic and print media, workers, vehicles used and campaign material.

Out of 68 MLAs analysed, 25 (37%) MLAs have declared election expenses of less than 50% of the expense limit in their constituency. Average amount of money spent by 68 MLAs in elections was Rs 15.26 lakh, which is 55% of the expense limit.

Top 3 MLAs With Highest Election Expenses

Name              District        Constituency    Party    Total Expenses  Incurred In Lakh

Kishori Lal       Kullu            Anni                  BJP              Rs 25.83

Rajiv Saizal      Solan        Kasauli               BJP              Rs. 24.58

Hira Lal            Mandi         Karsog              BJP               Rs. 22.95

MLAs With Lowest Election Expenses

Name                        District       Constituency       Party    Total Expenditures Incurred In Lakh

Mohan Lal Brakta       Shimla          Rohru                INC        Rs. 3.88

Anirudh Singh            Shimla         Kasumpti             INC       Rs. 6.48

Narinder Thakur         Hamirpur     Hamirpur              BJP      Rs. 7.10

Break Down of Expenditure

Public Meetings, processions etc without star campaigner: 11%

Public Meetings, Processions etc with star campaigner: 23%

Campaign Material: 22%

Campaign through Electronic/Print Media:  6%

Expenditure on Vehicles: 17%

Campaign workers: 18%

Other Expenditures:  3%

Sources Of Funds 

Self fund for the election campaign:   29%

Amount Received from political party: 57%

Loan, gift or donation etc:14%

Average Funds Raised From Political Parties

On an average, The BJP MLA raised 12% Congress MLA raised 87% of election expense funds from the political party

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