BJP Announces Second Wave of Candidates for West Bengal Polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially unveiled its second comprehensive list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, comprising a total of 111 nominees. This strategic move reinforces the party's reliance on established political figures, including former Members of Parliament, current sitting MLAs, and seasoned veterans, as it intensifies its campaign in the state.
Prominent Faces Secure Nominations
Among the notable candidates who have secured BJP tickets are several high-profile former MPs. These include Nisith Pramanik from Mathabhanga, Arjun Singh from Noapara, Roopa Ganguly from Sonarpur Dakshin, and Dibyendu Adhikari from Egra. Additionally, the list features eight sitting MLAs, such as Ashok Kirtania (Bongaon Uttar), Swapan Majumdar (Bongaon Dakshin), and Subrata Thakur (Gaighata), underscoring the party's preference for experienced incumbents.
Other significant nominations encompass Ritesh Tiwari for Kashipur-Belgachhia, Priyanka Tibrewal for Entally, and Sanjay Singh for Bally. In a notable development, former IPS officer Rajesh Kumar, who served as Kolkata Police commissioner for 50 days during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections under Election Commission appointment, has been awarded the ticket for Jagatdal. Kumar, a 1990-batch officer, retired as principal secretary of the department of mass education and library services.
Women Representation and Key Contests
The second list bolsters BJP's commitment to gender diversity, featuring 14 women candidates. This brings the total number of female nominees announced so far to 25. A prominent inclusion is Rekha Patra, who emerged as the face of BJP's Sandeshkhali agitation against arrested and suspended Trinamool Congress strongman Sheikh Shahjahan. She will contest from the Hingalganj constituency, highlighting the party's focus on local issues and grassroots movements.
In constituency adjustments, Hiran Chattopadhyay, the sitting MLA from Kharagpur Sadar, has been fielded in Shyampur after his seat was allocated to former state unit chief Dilip Ghosh. Meanwhile, Tapas Roy, who won Maniktala on a Trinamool ticket in 2021 and later defected to BJP, will contest from his old constituency following an unsuccessful bid for Kolkata North in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Strategic Shift in Darjeeling Hills
In a significant political maneuver, the BJP has decided to part ways with its long-time ally, the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), in the three key hill constituencies of Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong. The GNLF, founded by Subhash Ghising and an NDA constituent for over a decade, has been delisted by the Election Commission, leaving its aspiring candidates dependent on BJP support. Despite this history, BJP opted not to nominate any GNLF candidates, a move that has sparked controversy.
Y Lama, central panel spokesperson for GNLF, expressed disappointment, stating that his party was not consulted regarding the candidate selections. He indicated that the GNLF central committee would deliberate on the future course of action in response to this exclusion.
New Faces in Hill Seats
Instead of GNLF nominees, BJP has introduced fresh candidates for the hill constituencies. Bharat Chetri, former captain of the Indian hockey team, has been nominated for Kalimpong. In Darjeeling, the party has accommodated the rival Gorkha Janmukti Morcha by fielding its youth central general secretary, Noman Rai. The Kurseong ticket has been awarded to Sonam Lama, who serves as the local BJP block president. This strategic realignment marks a departure from previous elections where GNLF's Neeraj Zimba won Darjeeling in 2021 as a BJP nominee and a 2019 bypoll on the party's symbol.
Focus on Kurmi Community
On the Kurmi front, BJP has decided to support independent candidate Biswajit Mahato in Joypur, Purulia. This follows the party's first list, which nominated Rajesh Mahato, former state president of the Kurmi Samaj, from Gopiballavpur. Both Rajesh and Ajit Mahato have been actively advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Kurmi community and the inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, reflecting BJP's outreach to regional and ethnic groups.
This second list underscores BJP's calculated approach to the West Bengal elections, balancing experienced leadership with strategic alliances and community-focused nominations, while navigating complex regional dynamics in the Darjeeling hills.
