New Delhi — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday formally kicked off its assembly election campaign by appointing senior leaders as in-charges for Bihar, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has been tasked with leading the high-stakes Bihar election effort, supported by Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya as co-in-charges.
In West Bengal, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav will take charge of strategy, assisted by former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. For Tamil Nadu, BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda has been appointed in-charge, with Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol as co-in-charge.
The BJP is aiming to retain its position as the senior-most NDA ally in Bihar, where the polls will be contested under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U). In Bengal, the party is eyeing major gains, while in Tamil Nadu it hopes to expand its presence in a state where it has so far remained a marginal player.
