The excitement of the 2024 general elections is palpable across India, the largest democracy in the world. Every election here is seen as a grand celebration of democracy, closely watched by countries worldwide. However, the growing flow of money in Indian elections is causing serious concern. Experts predict a staggering expenditure for the 2024 elections, estimated to be around ₹1.36 lakh crores, making it one of the most expensive elections globally. Half of this expenditure is expected to be borne by the ruling BJP.
Comparing to previous elections, the 2019 general elections saw expenditures of about ₹60,000 crores. This year, the expenditure is projected to double, with a significant portion allocated to digital campaigning, reflecting the increasing reliance on digital platforms in election strategies. The total voter base in India is about 96.6 crores, and on average, ₹1400 is being spent per voter. This extravagant spending overshadows the previous U.S. presidential election, where the expenditure was around ₹1.2 lakh crores. The excessive election spending underscores a shift towards massive financial muscle rather than party ideologies, as highlighted in the recent book, "Next Big Game Changer of Elections".
