High Exam Priority
TMC Accuses BJP of Funding YouTubers ₹286.99 Cr for Religious Polarization in West Bengal Polls
25 September 2026
4 min read
The Trinamool Congress has accused the BJP of utilizing social media influencers and YouTubers to manufacture religious polarization ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Citing election expenditure statements, TMC leaders alleged that substantial funds were channeled to specific influencers to stoke communal tensions.
Key Highlights
- TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh alleged that the BJP spent funds to manufacture a religious divide through social media influencers ahead of the West Bengal polls.
- Official election expenditure statements filed with the Election Commission reveal that the BJP spent ₹286.99 crore on the West Bengal Assembly elections.
- The controversy involves specific instances where YouTubers allegedly created public disruptions regarding food items to sensationalize matters on social media.
- The ruling party in West Bengal highlighted that financial transactions involving YouTubers surfaced after election expense details entered the public domain.
Exam Quick Facts
Nodal Ministry / Dept
Election Commission of India (Statutory Body)
Key Bodies
Election Commission of India, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Constitutional & Legal Context
The disclosure of election expenditures is governed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India regarding transparency in political funding and campaign expenses.
Static GK Connection
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and election expenditure monitoring by the Election Commission of India are crucial mechanisms to ensure free and fair elections under Article 324 of the Constitution of India.