Kolkata: Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya has been elected as the new president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) West Bengal unit. The announcement was made on Thursday during a formal felicitation ceremony held at Science City in Kolkata, where Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad handed over the election certificate to the newly appointed state chief.
Bhattacharya’s election comes at a pivotal moment for the party as it prepares for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for 2026. The 61-year-old senior leader was declared elected unopposed, as no other nominations were filed for the position before the official deadline on Wednesday.
The nomination process concluded with Bhattacharya submitting his papers at the party’s state headquarters in Salt Lake on Wednesday afternoon. He was accompanied by outgoing state president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. BJP’s state returning officer and MLA Deepak Barman confirmed the uncontested election in a statement.
“The Sangathan Parv of the Bharatiya Janata Party, West Bengal, has reached its final stage. Today, in the concluding phase, 60 karyakartas submitted nominations to become members of the National Council. All nominations have been accepted. For the post of the party’s state president, only one procedurally valid nomination was submitted, and it has also been accepted,” he said.
The election process for the new state chief was initiated on Wednesday, following the announcement of the poll schedule a day earlier. As Bhattacharya was the sole nominee, the party officially confirmed his unopposed victory at Thursday’s felicitation event.
Speaking to the media, outgoing president Sukanta Majumdar described the leadership change as part of the party’s ongoing organizational continuity. “This is like a relay race,” he said. “Earlier, the fight was led under my leadership; now, it will continue under the new president. We remain committed to our goal of ousting the Mamata Banerjee-led government from power.”
Bhattacharya’s elevation is seen as a strategic move by the BJP ahead of the crucial assembly polls. Known for his articulate presence in both the Rajya Sabha and media, Bhattacharya has long been a visible face of the BJP in West Bengal, particularly during press briefings and political debates. His leadership will be closely watched as the party prepares its electoral roadmap in a politically volatile state where it has been seeking to increase its foothold.
Political analysts believe the decision to appoint Bhattacharya was influenced by the party’s desire to bring in a leader with organizational experience, media savviness, and the ability to unite various factions within the state unit.
His long association with the BJP, dating back to its formative years in the state, is expected to bolster grassroots confidence and reinforce coordination between state and central leadership.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who attended the felicitation ceremony, expressed confidence in Bhattacharya’s ability to steer the party forward in West Bengal. “His experience, dedication, and clarity of purpose will help the BJP strengthen its organizational base in the state and prepare effectively for the coming electoral battles,” Prasad said.
Bhattacharya’s leadership comes at a time when the BJP is recalibrating its strategy after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it witnessed a mixed performance in Bengal.
The state continues to be a high-stakes battleground for the party, which is aiming to challenge the dominance of the Trinamool Congress in the upcoming assembly elections.
With less than a year remaining before West Bengal goes to the polls, Bhattacharya now faces the dual challenge of invigorating the party cadre and building a compelling narrative that resonates with voters across the state.
As the new president takes charge, the BJP’s focus is expected to sharpen on issues such as law and order, corruption, and employment, while also working to bridge internal rifts and enhance its organizational strength at the booth level.
Bhattacharya’s immediate task will be to finalize the party’s campaign strategy, oversee outreach programs, and coordinate closely with the central leadership to ensure alignment with national priorities.
