BJP not to contest Howrah by-poll

In a volte face days after announcing its candidate for the Howrah Lok Sabha by-polls, the BJP Tuesday said it would not field a candidate as it wanted to concentrate on the upcoming panchayat polls.

"We won't contest the Howrah Lok Sabha bye-election because we want to concentrate on the panchayat polls," BJP state president Rahul Sinha told mediapersons.

The BJP had Saturday named its former state president Asim Kumar Ghosh as its nominee for the seat. He was scheduled to file his papers Tuesday.

The by-poll will be held June 2 to fill up the vacancy following the death of Trinamool Congress MP Ambica Banerjee April 25.

Sinha said that the decision was taken following a telephonic conversation with BJP president Rajnath Singh. He added that the central committee had left the decision solely on the state unit.

"After analysing the current scenario, we think it would be prudent to focus on the upcoming panchayat election. If we go for (the Lok Sabha) seat, our efforts will be divided," said Sinha.

He also ruled out any hidden effort to help the Trinamool Congress.

Sinha said: "If we score well in the panchayat elections, it will have an effect on the results of the general elections," scheduled for 2014.