BJP's Bengal Candidates List: Sandeshkhali Victim Rekha Patra Gets Ticket To Contest From Basirhat

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unveiled the names of 19 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, adding to the 20 candidates announced earlier on March 2.

Among the notable names are former Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Sandeshkali's Rekha Patra, and ex-state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh. This move comes as the BJP aims to strengthen its foothold in the state, which boasts a total of 42 Lok Sabha seats.

Dilip Ghosh, a pivotal figure in the BJP's rise in West Bengal, will contest from the Bardhaman-Durgapur seat. Ghosh's leadership as state BJP chief from December 2015 to October 2021 saw the party securing 18 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and 77 assembly seats in 2021. Known for his candid remarks, Ghosh has been a prominent voice in the party's state politics.

In Basirhat, the BJP has chosen Rekha Patra, a housewife from Sandeshkhali and an alleged victim of political violence. Patra's candidacy is seen as a strong political statement by the BJP, highlighting her as one of the most vocal protestors against the atrocities faced by women in her region.

Former Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay will represent the BJP in Tamluk. Gangopadhyay, known for his swift judgments on corruption cases, joined the BJP after resigning from his judicial position earlier this month. He will contest a seat that has been a stronghold of Suvendu Adhikari's family.

Arjun Singh, returning to the BJP after a brief stint with the TMC, will contest from Barrackpore. Singh had previously won this seat on a BJP ticket in 2019 but switched back to TMC in 2022 before rejoining BJP this month.

Tapas Roy, aiming for the Kolkata North seat, has switched from TMC to BJP following disagreements over candidate nominations. Roy, a four-term MLA and former deputy chief whip of the West Bengal assembly, faces a challenging task in a constituency with a significant minority community presence.

Agnimitra Paul, an MLA from Asansol South and state general secretary of BJP, is set to contest from Medinipur. Paul, who joined BJP in 2019, has been an active participant in protests against the TMC government and served as president of the West Bengal BJP Mahila Morcha.

The announcement of these candidates underscores the BJP's strategic approach to the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal. With a mix of seasoned politicians and new entrants from various backgrounds, the party is keen on making significant electoral gains in the state.