Trinamul and BJP leaders in Jalpaiguri have drawn up plans to woo youngsters whose names have entered the voter list ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

In Jalpaiguri, the BJP wrested the Lok Sabha seat in 2019 from Trinamul. Also, in the 2021 Assembly polls, the saffron camp managed to win four of seven seats while three went to Mamata Banerjee’s party. However, at the bypoll in Dhupguri Assembly seat held in September this year, Trinamul defeated BJP.

According to sources in the administration, over 15,000 new voters have been included in the list revised in November.

“So far, 15,391 new voters have been included in the draft list published this month. Another 15,000-odd voters are likely to be added in the final list to be published in January before the Lok Sabha elections,” said a source in the administration.

These 30,000 voters are now in the focus of both the BJP and Trinamul.

“These voters definitely matter for any political party in the Lok Sabha elections. In Jalpaiguri, the BJP is desperate to retain the seat while Trinamul wants to win it back,” said a political observer.

Mahua Gope, the Jalpaiguri district Trinamul chief, said youths were aware about the anti-people policies and the empty promises of the Narendra Modi government.

She said that soon, Trinamul workers would tell new voters about the slew of welfare schemes the state has launched for students and youths. These include financial aid for studies, students’ credit card, assistance for start-ups and training in state-run institutions for those who intend to sit in competitive exams for government jobs.

“We will tell new voters about these schemes. We are confident that they will support us and not the BJP that has always played divisive politics,” said Gope.

The BJP, sources said, will highlight central schemes. “There had been thousands of recruitments in central government departments, ranging from the defence forces to railways. As we meet fresh voters, we will underscore how lack of proper policies and absence of industrial investments have dried up job opportunities in Bengal. The education system here is in a shambles,” said Bapi Goswami, the BJP president of Jalpaiguri district.

Both the parties have planned pamphlets for the young voters.

Sreyoshi Pal, a college student who will be a first-time voter in 2024, said her generation was frustrated over limited state and central government jobs. "We understand our responsibility as voters, but political parties have to address our issues,” she said.

Sudip Bagchi, another new voter, said they were concerned about the violence during and after polls.

“We are not sure if we would be able to cast our votes peacefully,” he said.