Suryaa National Desk: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections scheduled to be held next year. According to national media sources, the party's state leadership has completed the candidate selection process for 209 seats in the first phase out of the state's total 403 assembly constituencies. The finalized preliminary list has reportedly been sent to the party's central leadership in Delhi for final approval.
The BJP has set a target of winning more than 300 seats this time to retain power for a record third term. Meanwhile, the government has announced a special welfare package aimed at attracting women voters in the state.