Protests, resignations and vandalism erupt amid BJP Bengal after candidate list announced

The Bharatiya Janata Party is facing internal unrest in West Bengal following the announcement of candidates for 144 Assembly seats, with resignations and protests surfacing across multiple regions. The developments, unfolding ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, have created discomfort within the party’s state leadership as dissatisfaction grows over ticket distribution.

In Mahishadal, discontent erupted after businessman Subhash Panja was named as the candidate. Soon after, local leaders Biswanath Bandyopadhyay and Dipak Kumar Jana resigned from the party, citing strong objections to the selection. Bandyopadhyay publicly distanced himself from the organisation, while Jana warned that similar resignations could follow from neighbouring constituencies, indicating a wider ripple effect.

Tensions escalated further in Alipurduar, where party workers vandalised the district BJP office following the announcement of Paritosh Das as the candidate. Protesters also staged demonstrations by burning tyres outside the office, reflecting deep anger among grassroots workers over the choice of nominee.

Unrest was also reported in Kumargram, where local leaders voiced opposition to the candidature of Manoj Kumar Oraon. Criticism from within the party ranks highlighted internal divisions, with allegations and dissatisfaction surfacing openly after the candidate list was made public.

The emerging dissent has added to the challenges faced by the BJP in the state, where organisational strength has been under scrutiny. With the elections approaching, the growing internal discord and visible protests have intensified pressure on the party leadership to manage discontent and maintain cohesion ahead of the electoral contest.