In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the BJP’s expenditure surged from Rs 714 crore to Rs 1,264 crore in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The Lok Sabha elections 2024 were held in seven phases between April 19 and June 1, 2024, making it the most expensive electoral event in the world. Even though six months have passed since the Lok Sabha elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to be released by the Election Commission on its website.

Out of the six national parties, the election expenditure reports of both the BJP and the National People’s Party (NPP) are still not available on the poll panel’s website. Political parties have 90 days to submit their expenditure details to the poll body.

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According to a report by The Hindu, between the fiscal years 2014 and 2023, poll spending amounted to a whopping Rs 15,647 crore. Of this, the BJP alone accounted for 55 percent of the expenditure.

The saffron party was followed by the Indian National Congress (INC) with 30 percent and the Communist Party of Marxist (Marxist) (CPI-M) with 6 percent.

Before coming to power, the BJP’s share in total poll expenditure of all parties comprised 29 percent in FY 2013-14. The percentage gradually increased with 66 percent in FY 2022-23.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the BJP’s expenditure surged from Rs 714 crore to Rs 1,264 crore in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. In contrast, the Congress’ expenditure rose from Rs 516 crore to Rs 820 crore during the same period.

This isn’t the first time the BJP has failed to meet the deadline. In 2022, TMC MP Saket Gokhale flagged both the BJP and ally NPP for failing to submit their election expenditure reports of assembly polls. Gokhale also highlighted the lack of action from the EC apart from sending notices.

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“Special treatment for BJP allies by EC. Parties are supposed to file election expenditure reports within 75 days of Assembly Polls. BJP-ally NPP hasn’t filed their reports since 2018!! Not filing leads to de-recognition of the party. EC sends notices but no action taken,” he wrote in an X post.

Special treatment for BJP allies by EC.

Parties are supposed to file election expenditure reports within 75 days of Assembly Polls.

BJP-ally NPP hasn’t filed their reports since 2018!!

Not filing leads to de-recognition of the party.

EC sends notices but no action taken. pic.twitter.com/BFwOQXVYb9

— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) October 4, 2022

Several allegations have been raised by various opposition parties regarding the BJP receiving special treatment by the poll body. From complaints of the party violating MCC guidelines during campaigning and alleged tinkering of the voter’s list, the opposition parties across the country have raised objections and questioned the poll body’s alleged bias to the BJP.

Although compared to 2019, the saffron party’s overall performance fell in the 2024 general elections, the BJP won five seats by a margin exceeding 50 percent of the vote share, according to the EC. No other party in 2024 won any seat by a vote share of more than 50 percent.