2024 General Elections: BJD gave Rs 54.60 crore to MP & MLA candidates; Congress nil

It isn't an exaggeration that the 2024 General Election is considered the most expensive election. As per the data accessed by OTV, BJD gave Rs 50 lakh and Rs 30 lakh each to its MP and MLA candidates respectively. 

As per the affidavit BJD filed with the Election Commission, the party had given Rs 50 lakh each to its MP candidates and Rs 30 lakh each to its MLA candidates. Since party president Naveen Patnaik contested from two Assembly seats, he had taken Rs 60 lakhs. In total, the party had spent Rs 54.60 crore. 

As per the affidavit filed by the party’s treasurer Subash Singh, the money was transferred from the party’s fund to the candidates’ accounts through RTGS. 

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However, the party has not submitted details about the expenditure it incurred in advertisements. 

“BJD keeps its documents updated and submits them at the right time,” said Subash Singh, treasurer, BJD. 
On the other hand, the Congress said it hadn’t given a penny to its candidates. 

“We don’t have funds as we are not in power. As if that was not enough, our account was frozen,” said Pabitra Saunta, Congress MLA. 

There is no information about how much money BJP spent on its candidates as its affidavit has not been made public. 

“The amount mentioned in BJD’s affidavit is too little compared to what it actually spent. All know how the party’s leaders were using helicopters and how money was being distributed,” said Anil Biswal, BJP spokesperson. 

Similarly, while parties like AAP, BSP and CPIML had also not spent even a rupee, the Samajwadi Party had spent Rs 29 lakh. 

“As per the rule, political parties and their candidates have to submit their statements. Now the parties have shown their expenditures. Their candidates are also required to submit their statements on expenditures. If their expenditures are within the permissible limits, their elections won’t be declared unlawful,” said Sahadev Sahoo, a member of Election Watch.