BJP goes all out to woo voters in Bengal

In an effort to woo voters in West Bengal ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has decided to go all out with its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and other senior leaders who are scheduled to address meetings in the state.

Modi was slated to address a public rally at the Brigade Parade grounds on February 5 next, state BJP chief Rahul Sinha said.

Apart from Modi, senior leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi, M Venkaiah Naidu and Shahnawaz Hussain would also address public meetings in the sate, he said, adding the party was planning to book trains to bring people from far-flung areas for the rallies.

People from all corners of the state were "found to be highly enthusiastic" and an online registration was also being provided to encourage voters over 18 years, Sinha said.

West Bengal is now ruled by the Trinamool Congress, a former ally of the BJP. The party had won two seats back in 1999 in the 13th Lok Sabha, when it contested in alliance with TMC in the state.