BJP changes Ranaghat candidate just 19 days before elections

Kolkata: The organisational weakness of the state BJP surfaced once again, with the party changing its nominee in Ranaghat just 19 days before the election. The election for the Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat will be held on April 29.

BJP has fielded Jagannath Sarkar, president of the Nadia North unit for the seat, replacing Dr Mukut Mani Adhikary.

Earlier, BJP had fielded Adhikary and accordingly, wall graffiti in his name had been put up in several places. Adhikary is a doctor in a state-run hospital. He has tendered resignation, which has not yet been accepted by the state Health department.

Political experts said the state leaders should have examined all the documents before nominating him for the seat. They felt that it is a bad precedent, as it reflects the organisational weakness of the party. BJP workers are whitewashing the graffiti now to put up Sarkar's name.

It may be recalled that the state BJP had announced the names of the candidates for the Purulia and Burdwan–Durgapur seats, after all the parties had fielded their respective candidates.

SS Ahluwalia is contesting from Burdwan-Durgapur, while Jyotirmoy Mahato is contesting against Mriganko Mahato of Trinamool Congress in Purulia.

Trinamool Congress had fielded Rupali Biswas, widow of Satyajit Biswas, the party's MLA from Krishnagunj who was murdered in February, from the Ranaghat (SC) seat.

Left Front has fielded Rama Biswas, while Congress has nominated Minati Biswas for the seat. There will be a four-way fight in Ranaghat.

There will be a four-way fight in Burdwan-Durgapur as well, where Trinamool's nominee is Mamtaz Sanghamitra, the sitting MP. CPI(M) has fielded Abhas Roy Chowdhury, while Congress and BJP have nominated Ranajit Mukherjee, son of former Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee and Ahluwalia respectively for the seat.