BJP leaders have demanded that Narendra Modi be fielded from the Burdwan-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat as the party is yet to name a candidate with only two days left for the close of nominations.

“The Trinamul and Left (candidates) have already filed nominations. Our party this time is the major Opposition and we were fancying our chances but we could not even find a candidate yet. It is shameful, more so because Modiji held a rally here on February 3. Only if Modiji himself contests, can we still win here,” said a BJP leader. The area will vote on April 29.

BJP intellectual cell convenor Amitabha Banerjee on Friday wrote to party chief Amit Shah to consider the proposal. “We are looking at a miracle by Modiji here.”

Purulia candidate

The BJP has named Jyotirmoy Mahato, an RSS member and lawyer, as its candidate for Purulia. He had contested the state polls in 2016 and lost. Purulia will vote on May 12.