KOLKATA: BJP has not fielded a single Muslim candidate in the Bengal elections, even from seats it had nominated members of the minority community in previous state polls, despite having about two lakh Muslim members in its ranks in the state. It had fielded eight Muslim candidates in 2021 and three in the 2016 polls.The party announced its final candidate on Wednesday, with Rakesh Singh contesting from Kolkata Port. Ali Husain, president of Bengal BJP’s minority morcha, said, “… The party believes responsibility towards a community does not depend on fielding candidates from that community.” Party seniors further said that candidates were chosen on the basis of “winnability”, adding Muslim candidates had struggled to win on BJP tickets due to a disconnect between the party’s platform and the community members’ voting pattern. Congress has fielded the highest number of Muslim candidates at 78, followed by TMC with 47 and Left Front with 26.
