Kolkata, March 17 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has focused on both youth and experience when selecting candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, in order to continue the party's development agenda.
After releasing the list of 291 candidates, Banerjee stated in a press release that the names were finalized after extensive deliberations, taking into account organizational principles and public expectations.
The party has left three constituencies in the Darjeeling Hills to its ally, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha led by Anit Thapa.
"Today is a special day for our organization. Today, we have officially released the list of Trinamool Congress candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. I extend my best wishes and congratulations to all the nominated candidates," said the TMC supremo.
"With the enthusiasm of the youth, the wisdom of experience, and the collective efforts of all, we are committed to continuing the development of Bengal," she said.
With the aim of giving special importance to marginalized sections of society, the party has selected more SC-ST candidates than the total number of reserved seats, she said.
The people of Bengal will give a democratic reply to the "anti-Bengal BJP" and form the 'ma-mati-manush' (mother-land-people) government for the fourth time in a row, she said.
"I believe that every selected candidate will stand by the people with honesty, competence, and a sense of responsibility, and further strengthen the development of the state," Banerjee said.