Vistarak positions were traditionally filled through loyalty and organisational experience. However, the state BJP leadership has chosen to use this new selection process to improve professionalism and allay previous accusations of favouritism.
While the group discussion will test candidates’ leadership and communication abilities, the written exam will gauge their comprehension of the party’s philosophy and policies.
According to News18, the party has received around 500 applications. The state has 294 seats. This is the first time that candidates will take a written test and then participate in a group discussion to make sure only eligible candidates represent the party at the booth level.
West Bengal’s top BJP official, Rathindranath Bose, stressed that this strategy is not new, and the goal of formalising this procedure is to make the Vistarak selection process more transparent and merit-based.
“In Bengal, youngsters usually go for three professions—doctors, engineers, and teachers. We have witnessed doctors protest for months, teachers’ scam has left them jobless, and engineers look for employment in other states,” Keya Ghosh, the media co-in-charge for the Bengal BJP, told News18.
It makes sense that young people who support the BJP want to spread the word about change in every home, she said, adding, the party had to go through the screening procedure because of the volume of applicants.
According to reports, Sunil Bansal, the BJP’s Bengal in-charge, came up with the idea of a written exam and group discussion to “filter in only those whose ideologies align with those of the BJP.”
Workers of the BJP who are committed to grassroots outreach and organisational growth are known as ‘Vistaraks.’ The literal meaning of ‘Vistarak’ is “one who expands/spreads.”
Under Home Minister Amit Shah, who presided over the BJP from 2014 to 2019, the idea was brought back to life and formalised.
The chosen Vistaraks will go through a two-day training session to give them the skills they need for their duties when the selection process is over, which is expected to be finished by the end of the Durga Puja festival.
One ‘Vistarak’ will be assigned to one assembly seat in Bengal following Diwali, and they will remain there until the elections are over.
The ‘Vistarak’ will map out weak booths, bolster local committees, work with local leaders, train booth staff, gather information, and report back to the party.
