In BJP’s LS list for Bengal, mix of old and new faces; Suvendu’s younger brother to contest from father’s seat

Opting for a mix new faces like Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh and trusted lieutenants like Union ministers Nisith Pramanik and Shantanu Thakur, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday announced the nominees for 20 of the 42 seats in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Singh would be fielded from Asansol, which is currently represented by actor-turned-politician and TMC leader Shatrughan Sinha.

Leader of Opposition in state Assembly and Nandigram MLA Suvendu Adhikari’s younger brother Soumendu would be contesting from Kanthi. The current MP from the seat is the brothers’ father Sisir Adhikari, who had won from Kanthi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on a TMC ticket. A three-time MP from the seat, Sisir is restricted to his home due to old age.

Talking to The Indian Express over phone, Soumendu Adhikari said, “We will work hard and give this seat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gift from the people here. This is my first step into ‘parishadiya rajniti’, (legislative politics). Earlier, I worked in student politics and civic politics. However, I have experience of contesting elections. I am yet to talk to my father (Sisir Adhikari).’

Suvendu’s other brother Dibyendu Ashikari is also a TMC MP from Tamluk. Suvendu had joined the BJP months ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections in the state.

The party retained Pramanik, who’s the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs, in Cooch Behar. In Bongaon, the saffron camp will field Thakur again. Known for his vocal support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Thakur is a prominent Matua leader from the state and Union MoS for sports, shipping and waterways.

In addition, the Union MoS for education Subhas Sarkar will contest from Bankura.

Other familiar faces in the list