The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) is exploring a potential coalition with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as West Bengal prepares for municipal elections later this year. Party leaders made this indication on Wednesday, suggesting a strategic alliance ahead of the polls.
“We are the largest coalition member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Hence during the elections, we will contest as members of the NDA. So, we will have to form a coalition with the BJP. Many were arrested on corruption charges during the TMC-regime. The BJP government in the state appointed administrators to run the civic bodies, which dissolved after the leaders resigned. “We as NCPI members have joined the NDA. I have preliminary talks with the chief minister. “I am not in a position to say anything in this connection to the media at present. “They (NCPI) don’t have any organisational existence. They are just some stray MPs.
After the BJP ousted the 15-year-old TMC regime and came to power in the state in May this year, several TMC councillors and municipal chairpersons resigned. At least 20 TMC MPs led by Dastidar quit the party and merged with the NCPI . Right now, we are focussing on all 209 seats (of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation).
We will take a decision when the election approaches, but there is every possibility there will be a coalition,” said Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a rebel Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP who joined the NCPI. We will contest the elections together as a coalition member,” said Sudip Bandyopadhyay, another rebel TMC MP who joined the NCPI. Who will contest with which symbol will come later,” said Sukanta Majumdar, union minister and senior BJP leader. They have no future,” said Saugata Roy, veteran TMC MP. “The poll panel reviewed the progress in delimitation, reservation of seats, EVM management, electoral rolls, polling stations, polling personnel and other logistical arrangements for the upcoming polls,” said a senior WBSEC official.
