New Delhi: The Indian National Congress, which is fighting the most difficult general election since 1977 is experiencing unprecedented fund crunch, which has put the ruling party at a further disadvantage vis-à-vis a resurgent opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Speaking to Gulf News, a member of the all powerful working committee or CWC of the party said, “a majority of our 430 candidates are unable to spend even half of Rs7 billion (Dh426 million), as stipulated by the Election Commission of India (ECI). We are getting SOS calls from our candidates’ every day, but the party is unable to do anything,” he said.

Congress party blames the media and the opinion polls for this crisis, as big donors — industrialists, trading organisations and other sundry money bags — appear to have divined which way the wind is blowing, and their money is flowing in that direction.

BJP on the other hand has launched a media blitz that the country has not witnessed so far. From almost every hoarding, kiosks, bus shelter and front pages of newspapers, their poster boy Narendra Modi is being seen. If you do not see him, you will get phone calls, text messages and even personalised emails, seeking votes.

Sources within the BJP inform that two industrial houses, known for their proximity with Modi and is seen as possible beneficiaries if he forms government, has thrown in their entire might to ensure a larger than life canvassing for him. On the other hand, Congress, which is now trying to ensure that it reaches the double digit mark, is finding it tough going to ensure a win.

“With a large number of first time voters who are generally fence sitter, we may lose out as BJP is reaching them more than we can even think off. For some well-to-do candidates who can manage on their own its fine, others are complete hamstrung,” a senior Congress leader from Maharashtra said.

According to income tax returns filed by the two parties and analysed by

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the income of Congress party in 2004-05, the year United Progressive Alliance-1 (UPA-1) was formed, was Rs2.22 billion against BJP’s Rs1.04 billion. Ever since, the ruling party’s coffers have swelled and its total income in the eight years till 2011-12, the latest for which I-T returns are available, was Rs23.38 billion.

During the eight-year period, BJP received Rs13.03 billion. The big two parties were followed by the leftist Communist Party of India-Marxist with an income of Rs5.2 billion and Bahujan Samaj Party with around Rs5 billion.

However, things have turned sour for the Congress party, as most of the traditional supporters are now in favour of the BJP.

“The government has administered terribly for the last ten years. The country wants change, why support such a party and waste money,” said a person who had donated a million to the Congress in 2009 elections.

Industry insiders inform that various commercial bodies have come up with figures as who to support with what amount.

“Its money and no one wants to waste it on a losing horse,” said a senior official of a major corporate house. “Cold blooded calculations are made and the largest chunk goes out to the probable winners, while everyone receives something from the booty,” he added.