BJP to select civic poll faces from drop box applicants
The West Bengal BJP has begun preparations in earnest for this year’s municipal elections, likely to be held soon after the Durga Pujas, Union Minister and former State party president Sukanta Majumdar said on Sunday, adding the party would be very circumspect in giving tickets to the prospective candidates.
Indicating that the leadership had no plans to pick and choose candidates arbitrarily, Majumdar said that the interested persons could offer their candidatures by dropping their bio-data in drop boxes kept outside the party offices.
“Those who want to contest the civic elections are required to drop their names along with the bio-data in the drop boxes of the respective party offices… only those candidates who are eligible will be selected … their winnability will definitely be considered for the purpose,” Majumdar said, adding that people from cross-sections of the society would be considered before deciding on the candidates’ list. “Among the qualifications would be the good image of the candidate in the region… if any candidate thinks that he has already been selected then he will have to regret later… You may think that you are good… the question is what the people think of you,” Majumdar, who was earlier made the in-charge of the civic elections, said.
Soon after the festive season ending Chhath, the State could announce municipal elections for the Kolkata and Howrah Municipal Corporations. Besides, elections could also be held for Bally and some other municipalities. Subsequently, the State could hold elections in other parts of the State.
Earlier, the State Government said the number of seats in Kolkata could rise from 144 to 209 after delimitation. However, the opposition parties have questioned the process of such delimitation.
The party will select candidates who submit their bio-data in consultation with party leaders and workers, and the State party president, Samik Bhattacharya, will make the final decision.
