E-Paper
Varanasi: Kejriwal, Rai ahead of Modi in poll expenditure
The BJP prime ministerial candidate spent just Rs 30 lakh during his entire campaign in the temple town, says a report submitted by expenditure observer Srinivasu Kolipaka of the election commission.
Congress candidate Ajay Rai and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal outdid their more high-profile rival Narendra Modi in spending on campaigning for the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat.
The BJP prime ministerial candidate spent just Rs 30 lakh during his entire campaign in the temple town, says the report submitted by expenditure observer Srinivasu Kolipaka of the election commission.
Ajay Rai splurged the most on campaigning with an expense of Rs 52.88 lakh.
Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal trailed Rai in poll expenditure by spending Rs 41.50 lakh.
The AAP had mobilised hundreds of volunteers from across the country to put up a challenge to Modi.
Kailash Chaurasia of the Samajwadi Party stands fourth in terms election expenditure with Rs 21 lakh while BSP candidate Vijay Jaiswal finished fifth with Rs 19.10 lakh.
Hiralal Yadav of the CPM was able to manage his campaigning with just Rs 4 lakh.
An independent candidate has also submitted a poll expenditure record of Rs 1 lakh.
The observer has issued notices to five candidates, including Trinamool Congress candidate Indira Tiwari, for failing to submit the poll expenditure details to the election commission.
