The BJP has decided to field Siliguri MLA Shankar Ghosh in the upcoming Siliguri Municipal Corporation polls in a clear indication that the party is hard-pressed to find new leaders.

While Ghosh, the BJP MLA, has been fielded from ward 24, former Trinamul councillor Nantu Paul and his wife Manjushree Paul have been nominated from wards 11 and 12, respectively.

Nantu, a former councillor, had joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections this year.

The BJP also decided to field former CPM councillor Shalini Dalmia from ward 8. Dalmia joined the BJP on Wednesday..

“The fact that tickets were given to leaders who joined the party today (Wednesday) clearly states the BJP was hard-pressed in finding candidates,” said an observer.

A source in BJP said that Siliguri MLA Ghosh had been projected as face of the organisation in the upcoming election, as he was the most experienced among the candidates, having served in the SMC earlier as a member of the mayor-in-council.

Raju Bista, Darjeeling MP and national spokesman of the party, listed a number of issues the party is likely to raise during its campaign.

“We will make Siliguri a smart and green city, traffic problems will be restored, we will construct a four-lane road from Sevoke to Balason (near Matigara), health infrastructure will be improved and pure drinking water will be supplied. The corporation will be run in a transparent manner,” said Bista

Anandamoy Barman, president, BJP Siliguri district unit, said that the party had tried to accommodate candidates to represent different communities and professions.

“We have tried to accommodate candidates to represent different communities and professions including teacher, lawyer and doctor as well. There are 19 women candidates in our list,” said Barman.