Vistarak positions were traditionally filled through loyalty and organizational experience. However, the BJP leadership chose to use this new selection process to improve professionalism and allay previous accusations of favoritism.
While the group discussion will test the candidates’ leadership and communication skills, the written exam will assess their understanding of the party’s philosophy and policies.
According to News18, the party received around 500 applications. The state has 294 seats. This is the first time candidates will take a written test and then participate in a group discussion to ensure that only eligible candidates represent the party at the booth level.
West Bengal’s top BJP leader Rathindranath Bose stressed that this strategy is not new and the aim of formalizing this procedure is to make the Vistarak selection process more transparent and merit-based.
“In Bengal, young people generally work in three professions: doctors, engineers and teachers. We have seen doctors protesting for months, teachers’ scams have left them unemployed and engineers looking for work in other states,” Keya Ghosh, Bengal BJP’s co-media in-charge, told News18.
It makes sense that young people who support the BJP want to take the message of change to every household, she said, adding that the party had to go through a selection process due to the number of candidates.
According to reports, Bengal BJP in-charge Sunil Bansal came up with the idea of a written exam and group discussion to “filter out only those whose ideologies align with those of the BJP”.
BJP workers who are committed to grassroots awareness and organizational growth are known as ‘Vistaraks’. The literal meaning of “Vistarak” is “one who expands/propagates”.
Under the leadership of Home Minister Amit Shah, who chaired the BJP from 2014 to 2019, the idea was revived and formalized.
The chosen Vistaraks will undergo a two-day training session to equip them with the skills they need to perform their duties once the selection process is completed, which is expected to be completed by the end of the Durga Puja festival.
A ‘Vistarak’ will be allotted a seat in the Bengal Assembly after Diwali, and will remain there until the elections are over.
The “Vistarak” will map weak booths, strengthen local committees, work with local leaders, train booth staff, gather information and report to the party.
