BJP’s Election Expenditure Dominates West Bengal Polls in 2026 Assembly Races

Election-commission filings for the 2026 assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal show the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reported a total outlay of Rs 529.38 crore (NDTV cites Rs 529.39 crore; other reports round to Rs 529 crore). More than half—Rs 286.99 crore—was spent in West Bengal, over 54 % of the party’s aggregate expenditure.

BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings BJP's Rs 529 Crore Poll Blitz Across 5 States, Outspends Parties BJP spent 287cr in Bengal, 54% of total expense in 5 assembly polls BJP’s Bengal poll spend alone tops Congress’ Rs 249 crore outlay across 5 states, finds ECI The Hindu

• West Bengal: Rs 217.16 crore for general campaigning and Rs 69.83 crore for candidate-related expenses.

BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings

• Assam: Rs 96.27 crore.

BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings

• Kerala: Rs 54.93 crore on campaigning and Rs 27.74 crore on candidates (total Rs 82.67 crore).

BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings

• Tamil Nadu: Rs 51.56 crore.

BJP's Rs 529 Crore Poll Blitz Across 5 States, Outspends Parties

• Puducherry: Rs 11.90 crore.

BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings

The Indian National Congress filed a combined total of Rs 248.55 crore across the five elections, with Rs 105.34 crore in Kerala and Rs 42.08 crore in West Bengal (including Rs 12.96 crore for campaigning and Rs 29.12 crore for candidates). The CPI(M) reported Rs 39.04 crore.

BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings BJP spent 287cr in Bengal, 54% of total expense in 5 assembly polls BJP's Rs 529 Crore Poll Blitz Across 5 States, Outspends Parties BJP’s Bengal poll spend alone tops Congress’ Rs 249 crore outlay across 5 states, finds ECI The Hindu

The BJP’s high outlay in West Bengal coincided with a decisive win: 207 of 293 seats. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 80 seats. In Assam the BJP secured 82 of 126 seats, while Congress took 19. Kerala’s Congress-led alliance won 63 seats; the BJP won 3. In Tamil Nadu the DMK-VCK alliance won 167 seats, leaving the BJP with 1. Puducherry’s results were split among the All India N.R. Congress (12 seats), the BJP and the DMK.

BJP's Rs 529 Crore Poll Blitz Across 5 States, Outspends Parties

The BJP’s central office received Rs 1,472.8 crore during the election period and closed with Rs 7,627.2 crore, up from Rs 6,722.6 crore at the start. The Congress reported receipts of Rs 207.17 crore across its headquarters and state units, with its balance falling from roughly Rs 169.06 crore to Rs 103.2 crore.

BJP spent more in Bengal than Congress did across five state polls: Election Commision filings

Sources differ slightly on the BJP total: NDTV lists Rs 529.39 crore, while other reports give Rs 529 crore or Rs 529.38 crore. West Bengal’s spend is consistently Rs 286.99 crore, with one outlet approximating Rs 287 crore. The Congress figure is uniformly Rs 248.55 crore. The Trinamool Congress’s filing has not been made public, leaving a gap in comparative data for West Bengal.

BJP's Rs 529 Crore Poll Blitz Across 5 States, Outspends Parties

The disparity underscores the BJP’s strategic focus on West Bengal, where it achieved a historic first-time victory, while higher spending by Congress in Kerala did not yield comparable seat gains. The filings also show a sizable inflow of funds to the BJP’s central organization during the election cycle, highlighting the link between central financing and state-level campaign intensity.

BJP’s Bengal poll spend alone tops Congress’ Rs 249 crore outlay across 5 states, finds ECI