Pune civic polls: Believe it or not, parties spent officially just over Rs1 lakh

With poll fever rising in the city, political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters with extravagant shows and gimmicks which cost them lakhs of rupees. However, when it comes to the official accounts submitted by the parties with the election commission, the figures tell a different tale all together.

As per the Representation of People’s Act, the promulgation of the code of conduct demands every political party to submit expenditure accounts every 20 days. While the code of conduct for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was promulgated on January 3, several political parties other than the Pune Janahit Aghadi (PJA) of independent corporator Ujjwal Keskar have not been regular in submitting the accounts.

Sources with the PMC stated that both the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have shown expenditure to the tune of Rs1 lakh since the last month. While the Congress has shown expenditure of Rs1,25,796, NCP’s expenses were Rs1,01,357. Following suit is the Shiv Sena which has shown expenditure to the tune of Rs1,69,817 till date.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party has shown expenditure of just Rs56,025.

PJA, on its part, has filed expenditure to the tune of Rs48,449 for the electioneering campaign, while Pune Vikas Aghadi, a political outfit of the Chandan Sondkar, has spent Rs4,943 till date.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, whose road show and remodeled engine has drawn many comments from the people, has shown expenditure of Rs2,050 till date. Pune Nagarik Sangathna (PNS), the non political party floated by various activists, are yet to submit their accounts.

Girish Deshpande, member of Professional’s Party of India said, “Needless to say, the figures are grossly understated. The machinery of the election commission needs to be more proactive to ensure the real figures come to light.”

Photo Caption(s):Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan would conduct a jeep rally from Congress Bhavan at 11.30 am on Friday. The route includes Shivajinagar Gaothan, Mangalwar Peth, Rasta Peth, Laxmi Road, Shivaji Road, Mominpura area, Hotel Seven Loves Chowk. The rally ends at the Ganpati temple at Khadmaal Ali at 1.15 pm.