West Bengal BJP starts two day brain storming session

KOLKATA: Ahead of crucial assembly bypolls, the West Bengal BJP unit today started a two-day brain storming session to chalk out strategy to counter the ruling Trinamool Congress in Bengal.

The two day state committee meeting was presided over by state president Rahul Sinha and party national secretary and incharge of Bengal Siddharth Nath Singh.

BJP national president Amit Shah, who for the first time will be visiting Bengal after taking over as BJP chief, will address the state committee meet's concluding session tomorrow.

Sinha while addressing the party members stressed on the need to reach out to the masses and establish itself as the only force to counter the "terror tactics and misrule of ruling Trinamool Congress in Bengal".

Referring to the party's growth in the state, Sinha said, "There is disillusionment among the masses about the Trinamool, CPI(M) and Congress so we should reach out to the masses and put ouselves as an alternative to the misrule of the TMC on the basis of our policies and plans for the development of the state".

The BJP, which secured 18 per cent vote share in the state in the last Lok Sabha polls and bagged two seats - Asansol and Darjeeling - is trying to change the political equations in the state, which till recently was polarised between Left and Trinamool Congress.

The party leadership also stressed on the need to project the pro-people policies of the Narendra Modi led BJP government at the Center.

The party is now concentrating on the by-elections to Basirhat South and Chowringhee Assembly seats to be held on September 13.

BJP had got a lead of 30,000 votes in Basirhat South assembly segment in the Lok Sabha poll.