Samik Bhattacharya likely to be new Bengal BJP chief, files nomination

The highly anticipated question of who will take the helm of the West Bengal BJP is on the verge of being answered, with strong indications pointing towards Shamik Bhattacharya. Speculation has been rife in political circles regarding whether Sukanta Majumdar would continue as state president or if a new face would emerge. However, sources suggest that Bhattacharya, a prominent BJP leader, has returned from Delhi and filed his nomination for the post this afternoon, potentially paving the way for his uncontested selection.

The process for electing the state president officially commenced today, Wednesday, at the BJP's Salt Lake office. The notification outlining the election schedule for the Bengal BJP president was released on Tuesday, setting the stage for the filing of nomination papers today. It is widely believed that Agnimitra Paul will not be filing her nomination, further narrowing the field.

From the information available, it appears that only one individual will submit their nomination for the top post, following directives from the central leadership. That individual is Shamik Bhattacharya. This scenario strongly suggests that a formal election, with voting, may not be necessary. If no other nominations are submitted, the name of the new Bengal BJP president could be finalized as early as today, marking a significant leadership change for the party in the state.

The BJP's notification from Tuesday detailed the electoral timeline: after the nomination papers are submitted on Wednesday, a 'scrutiny' process will be conducted on the same day. Candidates wishing to withdraw their nominations must also do so by today. Following these steps, the BJP will publish the final list of eligible candidates on Wednesday evening.

While the election is slated for Thursday, with the state president's name being announced after the voting, the practical possibility of an actual vote seems slim if only one nomination is received. The BJP has already released the list of 294 individuals, one representative from each assembly constituency, who are eligible to cast their votes in Thursday's election, should it proceed.

The official announcement of the new state president and a formal reception ceremony are planned for Thursday at the Science City premises in Kolkata. This transition comes at a crucial time for the West Bengal BJP as they strategize for upcoming political challenges and aim to strengthen their organizational structure across the state.