Gujarat, Himachal polls saw very less spending by candidates: Report

In the recently concluded Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, a large number of candidates spent less than their expense limit.

In Gujarat out of 182 MLAs analysed, 54(30%) MLAs have declared election expenses of less than 50% of the expense limit of Rs. 28 lakhs in their constituency says a report by the Association For Democratic Reforms.

In Himachal Pradesh out of 68 MLAs analysed, 25(37%) MLAs have declared election expenses of less than 50% of the expense limit of Rs. 28 lakhs in their constituency.

Himachal Pradesh:

Out of 68 MLAs analysed, 25(37%) MLAs have declared election expenses of less than 50% of the expense limit of Rs. 28 lakhs in their constituency.

Based on the election expense declarations of 68 MLAs from Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the average amount of money spent by them in the elections is Rs 15.26 lakhs, which is 55% of the expense limit.

Highest and lowest expense:

Kishori Lal of BJP spent Rs 25 lakh while Rajiv Saizal of the same party spent Rs 24 lakh. S H Hira Lal of the BJP incurred an expenditure of Rs 22 lakh.

Mohan Brajkta of the Congress and Anirudh Singh of the same party incurred an expenditure of Rs 3 lakh and 6 lakh respectively. Narinder Thakur of the BJP incurred expenditure of Rs 7 lakh.

Self funding accounted to 29 per cent while 14 per cent of the funds came in the form of donations, gifts etc. 57 per cent of the funds came from the party.

Gujarat:

Based on the election expense declarations of 182 MLAs from Gujarat Assembly, the average amount of money spent by them in the elections is Rs 16.45 lakhs, which is 59% of the expense limit.

There are two MLAs who have exceeded the expense limit. Rajendrasinh Ranjitsinh Chavda (BJP) from Himatnagar has exceeded the expense limit by Rs. 5, 78,309. Dindor Kuberbhai Manusukhbhai(BJP) from Santrampur constituency has exceeded the expense limit by Rs.95,766.

Funding:

Ratansingh Rathod and Independent incurred an expenditure of Rs 3 lakh. Thankor Bharatji Sonaji of the Congress and Jignesh Mevani an independent incurred expenditure of Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively.

While giving a break down of the funding, the report states that 22 per cent came from self-funding. Funds from political party amounted to 67 per cent while the 11 per cent came in the form of donations, gifts etc.

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