Kolkata, May 13 -- Having already scripted history with 207 MLAs in the Assembly, the BJP leadership is now eyeing to raise its tally to 208 by securing the Falta Assembly seat, which goes to polls on May 21, making the contest both politically symbolic and strategically crucial.

With the high-stakes re-poll in the Falta Assembly Constituency approaching, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday held a closed-door strategy meeting with senior BJP leaders at the party's Bidhannagar office in Kolkata to chalk out the party's campaign roadmap.

Party sources said the BJP is preparing to turn the Falta contest into a prestige battle, with Adhikari himself likely to take charge of the campaign in the Constituency.

The Election Commission had earlier cancelled polling across all 285 booths in Falta following allegations of widespread irregularities, including complaints of booth capturing, intimidation of polling agents, and obstruction of voters during the recently concluded Assembly elections. Fresh polling in the constituency is scheduled on May 21, while counting of votes will take place on May 24.

Sources in the BJP said Tuesday's meeting primarily focused on booth-level mobilisation, organisational preparedness, Constituency-specific outreach, and deployment of senior leaders in the run-up to polling. Party insiders indicated that the leadership wants to ensure a strong grassroots presence in every booth, treating the re-poll as the first major electoral test after the party's historic victory in Bengal.

Besides Adhikari, the meeting was attended by state BJP general secretaries Jyotirmoy Mahato, Soumitra Khan and Shashi Agnihotri. State BJP organisation secretary Amitabh Chakraborty, Howrah North MLA Umesh Rai, and English Bazar MLA Amlan Bhaduri were also present.

According to party sources, Adhikari "stressed direct voter outreach" and asked leaders to stay in constant touch with local organisational units. Separate teams may also be formed to oversee booth management, campaign logistics, and public communication as polling day draws closer. With Falta now emerging as the BJP's immediate political battlefield, all eyes are on whether Adhikari can convert the Constituency into another symbolic victory for the party.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.