Following the 2026 Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections, which resulted in a hung assembly, the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has formed the government with the support of DMK-led alliance partners, including the Congress, VCK, Communist parties, and the IUML. As the new administration settles in, official expenditure reports submitted to the Election Commission of India have shed light on the significant financial resources deployed by major political parties during the campaign.
For the 2026 polls, the Election Commission had capped individual candidate spending at a maximum of 40 lakh rupees per constituency. Beyond these individual limits, political parties are required to file separate reports detailing their collective campaign expenditures, including advertising, public rallies, and travel for star campaigners.
The DMK reported the highest expenditure among state-based parties, totaling approximately 197 crore rupees for the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry elections. Of this amount, 47.95 crore rupees was attributed to candidate-specific support, while the remainder covered broader party-level campaign activities and promotional efforts.
The AIADMK declared a total expenditure of 112 crore rupees. According to their filing, the vast majority—approximately 109 crore rupees—was directed toward general election campaigning, with 2.78 crore rupees spent on candidates and 4.11 crore rupees allocated for the preparation and printing of the party's election manifesto.
National parties also reported substantial spending across the states where elections were held. The BJP reported a total expenditure of 286.99 crore rupees across five states, with 51.56 crore rupees specifically accounted for in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, the Congress party reported a total expenditure of 248.55 crore rupees across five states, with 7 crore rupees allocated to its Tamil Nadu campaign.
The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) reported a total expenditure of 1.37 crore rupees. This figure includes 93.29 lakh rupees for campaign activities, 2.30 lakh rupees for star campaigners, and additional costs related to travel and advertising.
Notably, the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which secured the most seats in the election, has yet to submit its formal expenditure report to the Election Commission. The final assessment of total campaign spending across the state remains incomplete until the TVK files its financial disclosures.
