The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit in West Bengal is shifting its strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections by prioritizing grassroots candidates over celebrities. This change comes after facing setbacks in the 2021 elections when many celebrity candidates who had joined the party were defeated and subsequently distanced themselves. The state committee member highlighted the need for a more systematic and discreet approach to candidate selection this time.
In a departure from the past, the state BJP unit plans to submit two lists for each of the 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal to the party leadership. One list will feature three preferred candidates, while the other will include three names considered unsuitable for candidacy. However, the final decision on candidate selection will rest with the party high command.
Additionally, the BJP in West Bengal is engaging in a ‘Sankalp Patra Paramarsha Yatra’ (Manifesto Consultation Drive) to gauge public sentiment before finalizing its election manifesto. This initiative involves setting up drop boxes at 1,000 locations across the state to gather people’s opinions on the manifesto, reflecting the party’s efforts to align with public expectations.
