The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing an internal crisis in West Bengal, as its legislative strength continues to decline. The party, which secured 77 seats in the 2021 assembly elections, has seen its numbers dwindle to 65 due to resignations, defections, and an MLA’s death. Adding to BJP’s woes, reports suggest that eight more MLAs are displaying signs of dissatisfaction, raising concerns about potential further exits ahead of the 2026 state elections.
BJP’s Assembly Strength Drops from 77 to 65
BJP’s troubles started soon after the 2021 assembly elections when two of its MLAs, who were already serving as Members of Parliament, resigned from their legislative positions. This immediately reduced BJP’s tally to 75. Since then, eight MLAs have defected to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), one MLA passed away, and another resigned after being elected as an MP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Moreover, BJP has failed to reclaim any of these lost seats in subsequent by-elections, further reducing its legislative strength.
However, the bigger concern for the BJP is the increasing dissatisfaction among its existing MLAs. Reports indicate that at least eight legislators are unhappy with the party leadership and may switch sides, which could further weaken BJP’s position in West Bengal.
TMC Gains as BJP’s Halliday MLA Joins Mamata Banerjee’s Camp
Recently, TMC scored a major political win by inducting BJP MLA Tapasi Mandal from Haldia. This defection is significant as Tapasi belongs to the district of BJP’s opposition leader in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari. The ruling Trinamool Congress claims that this is the beginning of a ‘breakdown’ in Adhikari’s stronghold. However, BJP’s troubles don’t stop there, as the discontent among its MLAs is not limited to Haldia but extends across several regions in Bengal.
Discontent in North Bengal: The Case of Bishnu Prasad Sharma
One of the most vocal critics within BJP is Bishnu Prasad Sharma, the MLA from Kurseong. Sharma has openly criticized the party for failing to grant a ‘special status’ to the Darjeeling hills, a key election promise made by BJP. He has also advocated for a separate state for the hills, a demand that BJP does not support. His continuous defiance has created a rift between him and the BJP leadership. While it remains uncertain if Sharma will join TMC, it is clear that his relationship with BJP is at a breaking point.
Matuas and Rajbanshi Leaders Adding to BJP’s Woes
The discontent within BJP is also visible in the Matua-dominated districts of Nadia and North 24 Parganas. Several MLAs from these areas have reportedly expressed their dissatisfaction with BJP’s handling of Matua-related issues. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party had to placate some of these leaders by offering them tickets to contest the parliamentary polls. However, both candidates lost, and tensions remain high within the party.
Similarly, Soumen Roy, the MLA from Kaliaganj, has been a political swing voter. He had initially defected to TMC but later rejoined BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. His true loyalty remains uncertain, and his future political moves could further impact BJP’s stability in North Bengal.
Rarh Bengal and South-Western Districts See Rising Internal Conflict
In Rarh Bengal, at least two BJP MLAs have been sending mixed political signals. One legislator, who was formerly associated with the Left Front, has recently made statements suggesting that no political party is bad, but individuals within parties can be problematic. Such comments have fueled speculation about his possible exit from BJP.
Another MLA from South-West Bengal, known for his high political stature, has been facing long-standing issues with the BJP leadership. Despite being fielded in multiple elections by the party, he has reportedly been dissatisfied with his treatment within BJP. His strained relations with local party leaders have further fueled rumors of a potential defection.
BJP’s 2026 Election Strategy Faces a Setback
BJP aims to consolidate its position and expand its voter base ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. However, the party’s internal instability, growing MLA dissatisfaction, and the loss of legislators to TMC pose significant hurdles. The defection of Tapasi Mandal is just one instance of the larger crisis unfolding within BJP. With eight more MLAs under scrutiny, the party must address internal grievances swiftly to prevent further weakening of its position in Bengal politics.
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