West Bengal BJP’s latest organizational overhaul has sidelined its most prominent faces. The new state committee, released amid tight security, excludes Dilip Ghosh, Sukanta Majumdar, and Suvendu Adhikari, prompting questions about internal power dynamics.
Announced by the party high command, the 20-member panel features a mix of mid-level leaders, focusing on those who spearheaded rural outreach and minority engagement programs. ‘It’s about merit and performance, not seniority,’ BJP’s Bengal media cell head stated firmly.
Dilip Ghosh’s absence is particularly striking; his rhetorical prowess defined BJP’s aggressive posturing against Didi’s regime. Sukanta Majumdar, navigating the state president’s chair through turbulence, and Suvendu Adhikari, the TMC turncoat turned thorn in Mamata’s side, also miss out.
The rationale? Party officials point to a ‘decentralization drive’ to prevent over-reliance on star campaigners. With 2026 Assembly elections looming, BJP aims to fortify its booth-level presence, where it lagged in recent contests.
Historical lens: From a paltry 3 seats in 2016 to 18 MPs in 2019, BJP’s ascent was meteoric. But 2021 state polls and 2024 Lok Sabha results exposed vulnerabilities, including vote splits and post-poll violence.
Whispers of Delhi-Bengal rift surface, fueled by central leadership’s direct interventions. Yet, the party insists unity prevails. ‘These leaders will guide from elevated platforms; the committee executes on-ground tasks,’ a source clarified.
Implications for Bengal politics are profound. TMC is already mocking the ‘clean sweep,’ while BJP eyes consolidation. This reshuffle could redefine alliances, strategies, and even candidate selections, setting the stage for a fiercely contested future.