Civic polls are likely to be held in Nov end
Kolkata: The Bengal BJP has stepped up preparations for the civic polls in Kolkata and Howrah and has begun a rigorous screening of more than 6,000 applications from aspiring candidates. applications were received through email as well till the application window closed on Monday While the bulk of applications were posted in the drop box kept at the party office.
Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, who is overseeing the party’s preparations for the KMC polls, said: “We have our own standard operating procedure for candidate selection. Candidates will be chosen according to those criteria,” he said. Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha, who is in charge of the Howrah polls, said he was confident the BJP would form “triple-engine” govts in both Kolkata and Howrah. Some more applications have to be screened,” Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said.
The party has mentioned that organisational capability, public outreach and popularity will be considered as the key parameters. Majumdar had also encouraged applications from accomplished citizens with clean reputations who are not active in politics, and the party’s drop boxes were open to both party workers and members of the public. Reports also suggest that the party is weighing candidates’ electoral prospects, local acceptance and contributions to the organisation. Workers who stayed with the party through difficult periods are likely to be considered as well. He ruled out any alliance in Kolkata. “We have scrutinised the list.