Kolkata, July 1 (PTI): With assembly elections just a year away, the BJP is poised to announce its new West Bengal president this week amidst a whirlwind of lobbying, internal discussions, and factional negotiations within the state's saffron party cohort. The announcement follows a notification by Deepak Barman, the party's returning officer and MLA, detailing the nomination schedule, further fueling speculations about who will lead the party in the upcoming April-May assembly elections.
Nominations for the Bengal BJP president's position will be accepted this Wednesday, with scrutiny and potential withdrawals taking place the same day. The final candidate list will be revealed at 6 pm. However, if more than one candidate remains, voting is set for Thursday, from 12 noon, with results expected by 1:30 pm," a senior BJP official told PTI. Yet, many party insiders believe this process may be a mere formality since a consensus candidate could be named by the central leadership without contest.
Among the names circulating, BJP Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Samik Bhattacharya stands out as a seasoned leader being considered for the post. His recent formal visit to BJP national president J P Nadda's residence in Delhi on Monday has intensified these speculations. According to reports, his meeting with Nadda, attended by senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad—the overseer of the Bengal BJP presidential election process—could hardly be coincidental. Though Bhattacharya claims that the meeting with Nadda was to discuss a parliamentary delegation's recent post-Operation Sindoor visit, sources suggest that his could be the sole nomination submitted in anticipation of a consensus.
Bhattacharya, who has longstanding ties with the BJP in West Bengal, is viewed as a balanced and generally accepted figure. "He transcends intra-party factions, communicates effectively, is media-savvy, and faces no overt opposition within the party," an office bearer noted. In light of internal disputes between various factions, Bhattacharya could serve as a unifying force," he added.
Despite this, current state president Sukanta Majumdar remains a leading consideration, according to top BJP sources, though he also serves as the Union Minister of State for Education, presenting a policy challenge due to the party's 'one person, one post' guideline. "There are compelling arguments both for new leadership and for maintaining stability," commented a senior BJP figure, considering Majumdar's tenure since 2021. Replacing him so close to the elections might destabilize the party’s fragile organization." They continued. Majumdar, a botany professor and two-term MP from Balurghat, succeeded Dilip Ghosh in September 2021, with party decisions expected during a formal "president felicitation" event at Kolkata's Science City Auditorium on July 3.
The potential appointment of Bhattacharya is the subject of debate among political observers. Some view it as a safe, loyalist move, whereas others worry it may pose challenges due to his limited mass support. Additionally, Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, has reportedly proposed BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul for the key position, communicating his endorsements to the party’s central leadership. However, insiders largely consider Paul and BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato as longshots.
In the midst of speculations, a consensus leans towards Samik Bhattacharya as the leading candidate, with one party leader admitting: "He fulfills the need for a leader appreciated by both grassroots members and central figures." Nevertheless, some point to the example of Maharashtra, where a last-minute presidential change proved successful. If wisely chosen, a newly appointed, yet accepted leader, can energize the party base," a state party leader asserted.
BJP rules allow Majumdar a second presidential term since his 2021 induction. "Balancing ministerial duties with party leadership has grown increasingly arduous, burdened by the 'one person, one post' policy," another BJP leader observed.
Though up to 415 state council members may have to vote if an election is demanded, most expect a seamless, uncontested process. This choice will indicate the central leadership's Bengal strategy, as the chosen president must balance visibility, acceptance, and discipline," noted a seasoned political analyst. Meanwhile, former two-time BJP state chief Dilip Ghosh is strikingly absent from discussions, despite early pitches for his return; he is reportedly out of favor with both the central leadership and the RSS.
While official confirmation is still pending, BJP insiders believe "the real election is over," leaving only formalities of procedure.
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