Jayalalithaa spent Rs 24.55 lakh for polls, Stalin Rs 11 lakh; max allowed Rs 28 lakh

Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and Opposition leader M.K. Stalin have spent Rs 24.55 lakh and Rs 11 lakh as candidate poll expenses in the recently concluded Assembly polls.

Each candidate can spend up to Rs 28 lakh. A majority of winners in greater Chennai and tier one cities have spent an average ranging from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

According to the affidavit and the accounts details furnished by Chief Minister to the office of Chennai district election officer, she has spent a total of Rs 24,55,651 towards election expenses, including Rs 18 lakh from her own fund.

The AIADMK supremo spent a maximum of Rs 14.27 lakhs on addressing public meetings and election rallies in her constituency.

She also paid a rent of about Rs 32,000 for the temporary candidate office established in Washermenpet and paid electricity and generator charges up to Rs 31,550.

She also paid a rent of about Rs 32,000 for the temporary candidate office established in Washermenpet and paid electricity and generator charges up to Rs 31,550.

DMK leader M.K. Stalin spent Rs 11.02 lakh and raised funds up to Rs 25 lakh,  including Rs 15 lakh given to him by his party. The Kolathur MLA spent Rs 4.59 lakh on social media campaign, advertisements in newspaper and on campaign materials. He also paid electricity charges of Rs 24,000.

Royapuram MLA and fisheries minister D. Jayakumar and Mylapore MLA R. Nataraj both spent close to Rs 7 lakh as their poll expenses. In Chennai,  Jayakumar spent more than Rs 1 lakh on festoons, projectors and crackers, the maximum when compared to other candidates in city. Saidapet MLA and former Mayor M. Subramaniam spent Rs 12.54 lakh as poll expenses. Congress candidates ‘Karate’ R. Thigarajan (Mylapore) spent Rs 17 lakh and Royapuram  candidate R. Mano spent around Rs 8.5 lakh.

“Most candidates in Tamil Nadu have submitted their expenditure accounts and notices have been sent to those who have not furnished their accounts. There is no expenditure discrepancy in Tamil Nadu as the candidates have spent within the eligible limit of Rs 28 lakhs for an Assembly constituency and the same has been informed to Election Commission,” chief electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni told DC.

There are provisions under the Representation of the People Act 1951 to bar candidates who have not furnished accounts up to three years, he said.
According to election department sources, most independents and candidates of political parties like Naam Thamizhar Katchi, Pattalai Makkal Katchi and BSP have not submitted their poll accounts.