Kolkata, 24 October (H.S.) : Putting an end to all speculations regarding potential alliances, the top leadership of the West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made its strategy clear for the upcoming municipal elections. Addressing a crucial press conference on Saturday, State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya and Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar announced the party's 'Ekla Chalo' (go it alone) stance, confirming that the BJP will contest the civic polls independently. Majumdar explicitly stated that during ticket distribution, priority will be given to veteran and loyal party workers who stood firmly with the organization during its toughest times.

Outlining the party's electoral strategy and candidate selection process, the Union Minister announced, Workers who are interested in contesting the elections can submit their applications in a designated 'drop box' by 5:00 PM on October 26. The BJP will release its final list of candidates within just 3 to 4 days of the Election Commission announcing the polling dates.

Highlighting the core criteria for candidate selection, Majumdar stated that 'winnability' and a clean public image would be the most crucial factors. We will gather feedback from leaders and workers across various levels, and the final list will be approved only after comprehensive deliberations. However, our absolute priority will be the old workers who stood resiliently with us before the assembly elections and during our challenging phases, he noted. Furthermore, he added that the party's doors remain fully open to eminent personalities and intellectuals who wish to join the BJP and contest the polls.

When questioned about the recent posters and ongoing rumors suggesting a potential alliance with the NCPI, Majumdar swiftly dismissed the speculations. Nothing is impossible in politics, but as of now, those who put up these posters are in a better position to explain why they did so. Our stance is crystal clear: the BJP will contest all the 209 municipal wards exclusively on its 'Lotus' symbol, he asserted.

Setting the target for the upcoming electoral battle, Majumdar expressed strong confidence that the BJP will secure victories in significantly more wards in these civic polls compared to its performance in the last assembly elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh