HP polls: MLAS spent over ₹15 lakh each on an average
SHIMLA : Himachal legislators spent ₹15.26 lakh each on an average during the last assembly elections held in state, according to election expense declaration, the report of which was compiled by Association for Democratic reform (ADR). Majority of the expenditure was occurred on election rallies and campaign material.
The declaration states that 57% of the total money spent was received from the political parties and another 14% was received from individuals or firms. The rest of the amount was used from the respective MLA’S personal fund.
As many as 25 of total 68 MLAS declared their expenses below 50% of the total limit, i.e. ₹28lakh each, set by the election commission. The average expenditure declared by 44 MLAS from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes out to be ₹16.99 lakh each, which is 60.70% of the expenditure limit while 21 MLAS of the Congress spent ₹11.80 lakh each, which is 42.2% of the total limit, according to the report.
BJP MLA from Anni in Kullu district, Kishori Lal, topped the list of legislators with the highest expenditure during assembly election. Lal spent ₹25.83 lakh followed by social justice minister Rajiv Saijal with ₹24.58 lakh and Karsog MLA Hira Lal with ₹22.95lakh. Congress MLA from Rohru Mohan Lal Brakta spent the least amount of ₹3.88 lakh, seconded by Kasumpati MLA Anirudh Singhwho spent ₹6.48 lakh and Narinder Thakur who spent ₹7.10 lakh during the polls.
WHERE DID THE MONEY GO
The report states that 23% of the total expenditure was done on public meetings with star campaigners and 22% of the money was spent on campaign material. Candidates spent 18% money on campaign volunteers and 17% on vehicles.
However, 12 MLAS also declared that they spent no amount on public meetings or processions with star campaigners. As many as 16 MLAS also declared that they have not spent any amount on campaigning through electronic or print media and another 17 MLAS declared that they did not spend any amount on campaign workers.