BJP spent Rs 529 crore in five state elections, majority in West Bengal

BJP election spending West Bengal assembly elections Election Commission expenditure report social media influencers political campaign finance

Election Commission expenditure reports reveal that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spent a total of Rs 529 crore across five assembly elections. More than half of this total, approximately Rs 287 crore, was dedicated to the campaign in West Bengal.

The disclosures highlight significant spending on media and digital content creators. Reports indicate an alleged Rs 18 crore payment to the exit poll agency CNX Media, alongside substantial sums paid to various YouTubers and social media influencers to manage narratives. Notable payments mentioned include Rs 15 lakh to Priyanka Ghosh, Rs 13 lakh to Samik Adhikari, and Rs 2.5 lakh to actor and vlogger Sayak Chakraborty.

Chakraborty acknowledged receiving the payment but stated it was unrelated to a previous controversy involving a restaurant in Kolkata. In response to the reports, BJP leaders maintained that the party routinely pays advertising agencies and campaign professionals through official banking channels, asserting that all transactions were submitted to the Election Commission.