The BJP outspent its opponents by at least three times for advertising on Meta platforms for one month in the run-up to Assembly polls in Delhi. While the BJP, its candidates, and affiliates that ran ads in its favour collectively spent Rs. 4.15 crore on advertising in Delhi, the AAP was a distant second, spending Rs 1.38 crore. The Congress spent Rs. 66.62 lakh.
The Indian Express looked at advertisements on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Audience Networks, WhatsApp and Threads) between January 3 and February 1, which cost more than Rs 1 lakh.
Of Rs. 4.15 crore, 91.8% was spent by BJP Delhi’s official handle. In contrast to this, AAP spent just 63.3% through its official handle with the rest being spent by candidates and affiliates. The Congress Delhi handle also did the heavy lifting for the party, spending 88.7% or Rs. 59.13 lakh out of a total Rs 66 lakh.
Parvesh Sahib Singh, BJP’s New Delhi candidate against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, spent the most on advertising on Meta, spending Rs 5.13 lakh.
Kulwant Rana, two-time MLA and BJP candidate from Rithala was next with a spending of Rs 4.91 lakh. From the AAP, Shiv Charan Goel, Moti Nagar MLA and party candidate, has the highest expenditure of Rs. 4.17 lakh in these 30 days and from the Congress, Garvit Singhvi, Congress candidate from Greater Kailash, spent the most at Rs. 3.21 lakh.
‘Phir Layenge Kejriwal’ and ‘Bhasht Jumla Party’ — advertisers who ran ads in support of AAP were the highest unofficial spenders at Rs. 12.62 lakh and Rs. 8.98 lakh, respectively. ‘Main Hoon Dilli’, which paid Meta Rs. 2.78 lakh, ran the ad campaign against AAP or in favour of BJP.