In a major development ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reportedly finalized its candidates for approximately 140 seats. The decision was taken during a high-powered meeting of the Central Election Committee (CEC) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

The Delhi Marathon Meet: The meeting, which lasted late into the night, saw the participation of Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and top brass from the Bengal unit. Insiders suggest that the party has focused heavily on “winnability” and ground-level performance reports. Out of the 140 seats discussed, the leadership has reached a consensus on most names, emphasizing a blend of experienced leaders and fresh blood.

Reliance on Established Leaders: It appears that for the crucial first phase, the BJP is sticking to its “tried and tested” formula by fielding prominent faces like Suvendu Adhikari and Dilip Ghosh’s associates in key constituencies. The party aims to consolidate its hold in North Bengal and the tribal belts where it performed exceptionally in the past. However, there are whispers that some sitting MLAs might be dropped in favor of younger, more energetic candidates to combat local dissatisfaction. An official announcement is expected within the next 48 hours, keeping both supporters and rivals on their toes.