Early Election Preparations Begin for West Bengal BJP
The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun its preparations for the upcoming elections, even though no official announcement has been made. Following the recent ‘Samannay Borg’ meeting organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), state BJP leaders have issued directives indicating an early start to the electoral campaign. Party insiders reveal that the BJP is not assuming that elections are a year away; rather, they are preparing for the possibility of an early Assembly election. As a result, the historic BJP office on Murlidhar Sen Lane is set to regain its past prominence.
Murlidhar Sen Lane Office to be Used for Election Strategy
Despite the party’s official address still being listed as ‘6, Murlidhar Sen Lane, Kolkata 700073,’ the state BJP leadership had shifted its headquarters to ‘GN-27, Sector V, Salt Lake City’ a few years ago. Currently, all major party operations and the offices of central observers are based in Salt Lake. However, during election campaigns, BJP operates parallel offices. In the 2021 Assembly elections and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls later that year, election strategies were managed from the Hastings office. Similarly, during the 2023 Panchayat elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Salt Lake headquarters served as the ‘war room’ for the party.
However, this time, the BJP has decided to return to Murlidhar Sen Lane for election-related activities. Organizational Secretary Amitava Chakraborty has instructed party workers to refurbish the historic building to make it fit for election operations.
Call Center Operations to Resume in the Historic Office
During the last Assembly elections, the BJP had set up a call center on the upper floor of the Murlidhar Sen Lane office. This center was responsible for monitoring the implementation of central government schemes in West Bengal, tracking public responses to various political issues, and ensuring swift communication of party messages across the state. The call center played a crucial role in election strategy by compiling real-time feedback and coordinating outreach efforts. However, it was shut down after the 2021 elections. Now, sources confirm that the call center will soon be reinstated.
Challenges in Restoring the Historic Office
While the necessary infrastructure—desks, chairs, cubicles, and electrical setups—remains intact, the building’s deteriorating condition poses a significant challenge. The property, originally owned by 19th-century businessman Motilal Seal, is still under the ownership of the Seal family, though its maintenance is handled by the BJP. Years of neglect have left the building with leaking roofs, water-damaged ceilings, moss-covered walls, and makeshift tarpaulin covers in some areas. To ensure smooth election operations, urgent renovations have been ordered.
Amitava Chakraborty recently contacted the BJP official in charge of building maintenance, instructing them to address the water leakage immediately. Since the call center reports directly to BJP’s central leadership in Delhi, any mismanagement could lead to complaints reaching the highest levels, something the state leadership wants to avoid.
Strategic Shift: Why BJP is Accelerating Preparations?
The decision to ramp up election preparations a year in advance raises questions about BJP’s strategy in West Bengal. Did the RSS’s ‘Samannay Borg’ send any special directives? State BJP spokesperson and MP Shamik Bhattacharya dismissed any direct link between the two, stating, “BJP is a party that operates 365 days a year. While the upcoming elections are undoubtedly a factor, we are also considering the possibility of early elections. There’s no guarantee that the current state government will last until 2026. We are preparing for every scenario.”
By revitalizing its old headquarters and reinstating key campaign operations, the BJP is signaling its intent to contest the next elections with full force. Whether this early start will translate into electoral gains remains to be seen, but the party is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to consolidate its presence in West Bengal.