Bengal BJP President to be finalised in 48 hours; Shamik Bhattacharya, Agnimitra Paul in contention

The Bharatiya Janata Party is expected to finalise the new president for its West Bengal unit within the next 48 hours. Senior BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya has emerged as a top contender, with current state president Sukanta Majumdar reportedly backing him. Bhattacharya recently met BJP national president JP Nadda in Delhi, adding weight to his possible elevation. Sources say there is also internal support for continuing with Sukanta Majumdar till the Assembly polls.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has not objected to Bhattacharya’s name but has put forward Agnimitra Paul as a possible candidate. According to sources, Suvendu Adhikari had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the leadership issue. Alongside Shamik and Agnimitra, a third name is also in discussion within the party’s central leadership, and that leader has reportedly received a call from BJP senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Some central BJP leaders are considering giving Suvendu a free hand in party decisions for the next 10 months, citing that both Nadda and Sukanta have been handling dual responsibilities for over a year. On the other hand, a senior Union Cabinet minister’s source has stated that Suvendu Adhikari is capable of leading the fight against Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress in the state.