A political storm is brewing within the Bengal BJP as talks intensify over a possible leadership change following the completion of Sukanta Majumdar’s first term as state president. In a surprise move, the BJP central leadership held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday at the party’s Salt Lake headquarters with several key leaders of the Bengal unit, sparking fresh speculations about the future of the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Leadership Crisis: Will Dilip Ghosh Make a Comeback?
According to BJP sources, central observers Mangal Pandey and Amit Malviya met leaders individually to seek their views on upcoming party programs and potential organizational reshuffling—including the matter of state presidency. The name of BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh reportedly came up repeatedly in discussions. Sources claim the RSS has suggested projecting Ghosh as a prominent face for the 2026 Bengal elections. However, whether he can be brought back for a third term as state president is still under review.
Infighting and Reactions Within the Party
The return of Dilip Ghosh is not without controversy. His recent visit to Digha’s Jagannath temple with his wife stirred the pot, with leaders like Soumitra Khan and Ashok Dinda publicly attacking him. One even labelled him “the shame of Bengal BJP” on social media. Central leadership is said to be displeased with such outbursts.
Meanwhile, Sukanta Majumdar, in Tuesday’s meeting, cautioned party members against making any public statements on Ghosh, urging, “Whatever needs to be said about Dilip Ghosh, say it inside the party, not in public.” This softer tone from Sukanta is being interpreted as a response to central pressure.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Silence and Potential Fallout
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has remained silent, but insiders fear that projecting Ghosh as the CM face may lead to Suvendu distancing himself from the campaign—possibly impacting electoral results in key districts.
Day One of a Two-Day Strategy Meeting
Tuesday’s core committee meeting was attended by top leaders including Sukanta Majumdar, Suvendu Adhikari, Shantanu Thakur, Debasree Chaudhuri, Nishith Pramanik, Soumitra Khan, Manoj Tigga, Shamik Bhattacharya, and five state general secretaries along with two organizational secretaries.
On Wednesday, a second meeting is scheduled with district presidents and functionaries. The back-to-back meetings have generated widespread speculation within the party ranks.
The Bengal BJP is at a critical juncture. As the central leadership evaluates its strategy for 2026, balancing internal equations, egos, and electability will be key. Whether Dilip Ghosh returns to lead or a new face emerges, the road ahead is anything but smooth for the saffron camp in Bengal.