EC to send election expenses to IT scrutiny

NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 27 (AGENCIES)

Accounts of political parties are being sent to the Income Tax department for a closer scrutiny.
This comes after the Election Commission found they spent Rs 137 crore in the Lok Sabha elections.
Election campaigning in India has come a long way. From to door-to-door canvassing and posters, it's now a multi-media campaign fought on the ground, and sometimes even in the air.
The commission spent Rs 1300 crore to conduct the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. But the political parties were not far behind.
Figures on the Election Commission web site show that out of six national parties, five spent a whopping Rs 137 crore between them. And that doesn't include the BJP. The figures are now being sent to the Income Tax department for scrutiny.
"Asset affidavits of candidates have already been sent to IT department. We will coordinate with IT department about the expenditure by the parties on the elections," said T S Krishnamurthy, Chief Election Commissioner.

• The Congress party has spent Rs 125 crore, which includes Rs 48 crore for publicity.
• The CPI(M) has spent over Rs 8 crore.
• The BSP incurred expenditure of Rs 4.2 crore.
• Nationalist Congress Party spent Rs 30.5 lakh.

The commission has now asked BJP to submit the expenditure account by November 30 or face de-recognition as a national party.