BJP takes lead in advertising on Google, YouTube with Rs 1.21 cr spend

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the lead in advertising on Google and its affiliated platforms with a whopping Rs 1.21 crore, while the opposition Congress has spent only Rs 54,100. Google released a report on political advertisement across its platforms to provide greater transparency.

New Delhi: A week before the first phase of elections, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken a big lead in advertising on Google and its affiliated platforms (such as YouTube) with an ad spend of Rs 1.21 crore, while its main rival Congress has spent only Rs 54,100.

Google, in a report on political advertisement across its platforms - Google, YouTube and other partner properties, said Rs 3.76 crore was spent by advertisers since February 19.

"Our goal is to provide greater transparency in political advertising on Google, YouTube, and partner properties. This report includes information about Lok Sabha election ads that feature or are run by a political party, a political candidate, or a current member of the Lok Sabha," it added.

Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP), currently the ruling in Andhra Pradesh, was the biggest ad spender, with a total expenditure of Rs 1.48 crore. Its ad spend was by two firms - Pramanya Strategy Consulting (Rs 85.25 lakh) and Digitant Consulting (Rs 63.43 lakh).

TDP's rival YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) headed by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, was a close third with an ad spend of Rs 1.04 crore.

The remaining spend was by Ethinos Digital Marketing (RS 1.56 lakh), Pammi Sai Charan Reddy (Rs 26,400), Harshnath Human Services (Rs 6,300), Jaskaran Dhillon (Rs 5,400), Vidooly Media Tech (Rs 1,300) and Akula Satyanarayana (Rs 400).

AP leads the ad spend amongst states

With Andhra Pradesh going to polls in the first phase on April 11, the state saw the biggest ad spend of Rs 1.73 crore, followed by Bihar (Rs 10.5 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 17.19 lakh), Uttar Pradesh (18.47 lakh).

Advertisement spend by Andhra parties is likely to dry out after April 11. The state will go to polls in a single phase on that day. Polling for all the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state as well as 175 assembly seats will be held on April 11.