BJP accounted for nearly 45% of election spending during 2024 LS polls: Report
New Delhi: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received the highest donations and spent nearly Rs 1,494 crore during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the simultaneous polls held in four states, a report by the non-governmental organisation Association for Democratic Reforms said on Friday.
While the Hindutva party received Rs 6,268 crore as donation or 84.18% of the total funds collected by political parties during the 82-day election period from March 16 to June 6 last year, the Congress received from Rs 592.48 crore or 7.96% of the total amount.
Among the 32 political parties that the report analysed, the BJP spent a whopping Rs 1,493.91 crore while the Congress had the second highest expenses at Rs 620.14 crore, or 18.50% of the total expenditure during the election period.
In total, political parties spent Rs 3,352.81 crore during last year’s Lok Sabha election and Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim. The other main parties that spent the most were YSR Congress (Rs 325.67 crore), BJD (Rs 278.03 crore), and Trinamool Congress (Rs 147.68 crore).
When it comes to publicity, BJP once again topped the list at Rs 983.92 crore while the Congress spent Rs 502.97 crore, according to the report. This included media advertisements, publicity material, and public meetings.
Additionally, parties spent Rs 795.41 crore on travel, out of which Rs 765.36 crore, or 96.22%, was spent on travel expenses of star campaigners.
Interestingly, the Association for Democratic Reforms noted delays by political parties in submitting expenditure statements with the Election Commission. The highest delay was by the Aam Aadmi Party (168 days) followed by the BJP (139 days for the Lok Sabha elections, 154 days for Arunachal Pradesh, 147 days for Sikkim and 142 days for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha).
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
