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BJP Accuses Rajasthan MPs of Misusing MPLADS Funds in Haryana, Congress Defends Legality

Updated (4 articles)

MPLADS Scheme Provides ₹5 Crore Per MP Annually The MPLADS scheme, launched in December 1993, lets each MP recommend durable local assets with a central allocation of ₹5 crore per year [1]. It is a centrally funded program that covers roads, schools, and water facilities, typically within the MP’s constituency [1]. During the 18th Lok Sabha, a total of ₹5,486 crore has been allocated, of which ₹1,453.69 crore has been spent so far [1].

BJP Claims Three Rajasthan MPs Diverted Funds to Haryana The BJP alleged that Rajasthan MPs Brijendra Singh Ola, Rahul Kaswan, and Sanjana Jatav allocated ₹25 lakh, ₹50 lakh and ₹45 lakh respectively to projects in Kaithal district, Haryana, instead of Rajasthan [1]. The party suggested the moves were politically motivated to benefit Aditya Surjewala’s constituency [1]. These accusations have intensified debate over the proper use of MPLADS resources [1].

Congress Cites 2023 Guidelines Allowing Cross‑State MPLADS Use Congress countered that the 2023 MPLADS guidelines permit up to ₹50 lakh per year to be spent outside an MP’s constituency or state, with a ₹1 crore ceiling for severe calamities [1]. MP Brijendra Singh Ola argued his allocations complied with these rules [1]. The party also highlighted previous BJP MPs’ questionable MPLADS usage to underscore the partisan nature of the criticism [1].

Historical Data Shows Majority of MPLADS Funds Utilized In the 17th Lok Sabha (2019‑2024), ₹4,837.87 crore was allocated and ₹3,639.53 crore (75.23%) was spent, completing 41,143 of 96,211 works [1]. Unused funds largely resulted from COVID‑19 disruptions, while earlier Lok Sabhas recorded unused shares of 8.7%, 3.47% and 0.99% respectively [1]. These figures illustrate a generally high utilization rate across recent parliamentary terms [1].

Effective MPLADS Use Highlighted Among Select MPs Notable performers include Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, who used 63% of his ₹14.72 crore allocation for water projects, and Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Choudhary, who maintains a geotagged MPLADS profile [1]. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya spent ₹19.36 crore, while Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee completed 173 works and spent ₹6.13 crore [1]. The article recommends short, consultant‑led workshops to improve MP utilization rather than scrapping the scheme [1].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 1993 – The centrally funded Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) launches, allowing each MP to recommend durable local assets worth up to ₹5 crore per year, primarily within their constituency. [1]

Pre‑2019 – Earlier Lok Sabhas record unused MPLADS shares of 8.7%, 3.47% and 0.99%, indicating progressively higher fund utilization before the 17th Lok Sabha. [1]

2019‑2024 – During the 17th Lok Sabha, ₹4,837.87 crore is allocated to MPLADS, ₹3,639.53 crore (75.23%) is spent, and 41,143 of 96,211 works are completed, though COVID‑19 delays leave many projects unfinished. [1]

FY 2024‑25 (Apr 2024‑Mar 2025) – The BJP receives ₹6,088 crore in donations, a 53% rise from the previous year, while the Congress collects only ₹522.13 crore; electoral trusts contribute ₹3,142.65 crore to the BJP, with Prudent Electoral Trust alone disbursing ₹2,668 crore to 15 parties. [3]

Dec 22, 2025 – Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi declares that every MP and MLA takes a 5‑10% commission from constituency development funds, estimating a ₹5 crore MP could earn ₹40 lakh in commissions, and says he has contributed such money to the party fund. [4]

Dec 22, 2025 – Manjhi announces a plan for HAM(S) to contest 100 seats in the next Assembly election (expected 2026), warning that the BJP has underestimated his party and that the NDA could fracture if HAM(S) is not accommodated. [4]

Dec 22, 2025 – The BJP’s audit report for the 2024‑25 financial year remains absent from the Election Commission website, despite the party having submitted its contribution report. [3]

Dec 28, 2025 – Congress releases applications for Greater Bengaluru Authority elections, sets a ₹50,000 fee for general candidates and ₹25,000 for SC/ST, later reducing the fee to ₹25,000 for women, and earmarks the collected money for ₹20 crore in Congress Bhavans and ₹60 crore for the state office. [2]

Jan 15, 2026 – The deadline for submitting GBA election applications passes, with D. K. Shivakumar urging aspirants to have prepared early to improve their chances of winning. [2]

Early 2026 (Feb‑Apr 2026) – Shivakumar signals that taluk and zilla panchayat elections could occur within the next two to three months after reservation issues are settled, prompting parties to begin groundwork now. [2]

Feb 3, 2026 – The BJP alleges that Rajasthan MPs Brijendra Singh Ola, Rahul Kaswan and Sanjana Jatav misallocate MPLADS funds to projects in Haryana’s Kaithal district, while Congress counters that the 2023 MPLADS guidelines permit up to ₹50 lakh per year outside an MP’s constituency or state and a ₹1 crore ceiling for severe calamities. [1]

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