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).
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
