BJP's first list of Bengal candidates pins hope on TMC veterans, defectors

The BJP in its first list of 28 candidates for West Bengal has pinned hopes on its veterans and defectors from the ruling Trinamool Congress to take on the Mamata Banerjee's government in the state.

Of the 28 candidates, nearly 25 are new faces, with a thrust on active political workers rather than greenhorns from the glamour world.
The saffron party, which bagged two Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 elections, is now targeting 23 of the state's 42 constituencies.
Unlike the TMC list, which had 18 new faces and a mix of both old timers and greenhorns, hardcore politicians and personalities from the film industry, the BJP has put faith on its own leaders and defectors from other parties.
There are four women candidates and one Muslim nominee in the first list.
Of the candidates, five had recently defected to the saffron party from the Trinamool Congress and one from the CPI(M).
Union minister and BJP MP from Asansol Lok Sabha constuency Babul Supriyo has been renominated from the same seat and is pitted against actor Moon Moon Sen of the TMC.
State BJP president Dilip Ghosh will contest from Medinipur seat against TMC leader Manas Bhunia. 

Article Source -> Business Standard