Ensure Bengal campaign narrative isn't spoiled: PM tells BJP leaders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly asked his BJP colleagues to ensure that the party’s leaders keep the election campaign in West Bengal positive.

Modi held individual meetings with the party’s leaders at the BJP headquarter on Thursday, during which he was informed about the “real picture” on the ground. During the meeting, he asked the leaders to ensure the party’s campaign narrative is not spoiled, The Indian Express quoted sources as saying.

Quoting a senior party leader, the report said that the prime minister has told them not to indulge in name-calling or similar negative activities. The leader, who was present during the party’s central election committee meeting on Thursday, said that Modi asked them to keep the campaign civilised.

He said, according to the report, the prime minister asked them about the “real picture” on the ground and their restrictions in the campaign. And he wanted an honest answer.

The BJP has already finalised its candidates for 38 seats going to polls in the first phase on March 27. Even though the candidature of MPs cannot be ruled out, the first phase list does not feature any such parliamentarian.

Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy, who was earlier with the TMC, is unlikely contest this election.