New Delhi, Jan. 30 -- Political parties spent on advertisements, helicopter rides and payments to media consultants in their 2023-24 spending, according to audited reports released by the Election Commission on Monday, providing insights into their expenditure patterns during a year of multiple state elections.

The reports likely capture only a part of the spending patterns for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the dates for which were announced on March 16. During this period, six states-Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram- held elections for their assemblies.

The BJP's expenses of Rs.1,754 crore indicated a strong focus on media presence, with nearly 58% spent on advertisements and electronic media. T...