The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its candidates for the upcoming Panchayat elections scheduled for August 8, amid allegations of pre-poll violence from the opposition CPI(M). During a press conference at the party headquarters on Sunday, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury detailed the candidate selection process, which involved consultations with party representatives across the state. The selection meetings were chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and party state president Rajib Bhattacharjee.
Chowdhury was acompanied by senior BJP leader Amit Rakshit and party’s media cell in charge Sunit Sarkar.
Chowdhury emphasized that the selection criteria included social acceptance, party tenure, educational qualifications, and other relevant factors. He asserted that the BJP, being the largest political party in the country and the state, is dedicated to ensuring the development of the state’s villages.
“We have nominated candidates for 423 seats in Panchayat Samitis and 605 Gram Panchayats. We are confident that our carefully chosen candidates will win the elections, contribute to village development, and ensure the welfare of villagers,” he said. He added that the nominated candidates are expected to submit their nomination papers by July 18.