Eye on 2016, BJP books stall for mouthpiece at Kolkata Book Fair

Stating that the periodicity of the newspaper would be increased, Ray said earlier the ‘Bharatiya Janvarta’ was circulated only among the party members but “it will now hit the stands and be put up on walls for public reading, just like mouthpieces of other parties”. He, however, said a deadline has not yet been set to give the plans a concrete shape.

The newspaper, at present, has circulation of just over 10,000 copies and the party intends to make it one lakh. Janvarta’s editor Bimal Ray said with the BJP growing at an unprecedented rate and aiming to form a government in state in 2016, talks were on with the party leadership to pump in funds to expand the newspaper. “At present only five people, including me, work for the newspaper. Only one is paid an honorarium while the others put in voluntary services. The funds required for running the newspaper is generated from well-wishers. I have discussed the expansion plans with senior party leaders. Some people have expressed interest in volunteering towards running the paper,” said Ray, 88, who had been with the newspaper since its inception about two decades back.

Amitava Roy, in-charge of printing the newspaper and also the president of the youth cell of the party, agreed that the publication will be an important tool in Mission 2016 of the party. “We have major plans in using this newspaper as a tool to connect with the people keeping in mind the 2016 polls. The response so far had been very encouraging,” he said.