As the assembly polls inch closer in West Bengal, BJP today released its final list for the polls. Unveiling thirteen names including prominent faces Subha Pradhan and Neeraj Tamang Zimba, another anticipated candidate actor Mithun Chakarborty who joined BJP earlier this month was missing in the list. From Rashbehari, the seat many believed was reserved for the 'Dada', the party has fielded retired Lieutenant General Subrata Saha, who was in charge of Kashmir during crucial years. BJP sources had earlier said that the prestigious south Kolkata seat was being kept open for the actor ever since he joined the party at a mega rally in Brigade Parade Ground in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The actor had delivered his popular line from the Bengali film MLA Fatakeshto: "I will hit you here and your body will land at the crematorium." He also delivered a new election line that day: "I am not a harmless water snake or a harmless desert snake. I am a pure cobra. With one strike, I will turn you into a photograph."
Recently, the actor also enlisted as a voter in Kolkata, transferring his voting card from Mumbai. Even though Mithun Da is not named in the list, there is nothing to stop him from being fielded later, replacing an existing candidate. The polls in Bengal are, after all, scheduled across eight phases and the last date of nomination for final phase comes around mid-April.
A key change in the list published today pertains to Gaighata in North 24 Parganas district where the new candidate is Subrata Thakur. He is the brother of Shantanu Thakur, the BJP MP representing the Matua community, believed to be upset with the party for failing to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and lifting the uncertainty over their citizenship.
The saffron party also fielded new candidates from Chowranghee and Kashipur-Belgachia seats, after its earlier nominees had refused their tickets.
Nominations were given to Sikha Mitra, wife of former state Congress president Somen Mitra, from Chowranghee and Tarun Saha, husband of TMC MLA Mala Saha, from Kashipur- Belgachia.
The upcoming assembly election in West Bengal is going to see a tough fight between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the same has been reflected in their party manifestos.
Elections to the 294-member state assembly will be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
