Samik Bhattacharya wins unopposed, becomes new chief of Bengal BJP

Samik Bhattacharya has officially been declared the new chief of the West Bengal BJP, having secured the position unopposed. His nomination on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, marked a pivotal moment for the party in the state, signaling a fresh leadership approach as the BJP sets its sights on the crucial 2026 Assembly elections.

Bhattacharya's appointment is seen as a strategic move by the central leadership, leveraging his experience, strong oratory skills, and broad acceptability within party ranks to unify factions and strengthen the organizational machinery. Big names of the Safron Party, including Suvendu Adhikari, Sukanta Majumdar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, among others, were present at the grand ceremony.

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, expressing his delight at being sent to Bengal, asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's time in power is coming to an end, reflecting the overall mood of the country. He confidently declared that a BJP government will soon come to power in Bengal, drawing parallels with the global recognition received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been honored with the highest awards by 24 countries – a record. Prasad also sharply criticized the Kasba incident, stating it is shameful to even mention the culprit's name, and accused "Didi" (Mamata Banerjee) of changing after coming to power, showing no concern for daughters and attempting to suppress India's culture, values, and Sanatan traditions for the sake of vote bank politics.

Further intensifying his attack, Prasad questioned when Chief Minister Banerjee would close the "gate opened from Bengal to Bangladesh," hinting at concerns over illegal immigration. He reiterated that the time has come for a change in Mamata Banerjee's rule, implying that the state is ready for a new political direction.

On Wednesday, addressing Taaza TV, a confident Bhattacharya declared that the party would not repeat the "mistake of 2021" in the upcoming 2026 assembly polls. This statement directly addresses the BJP's failure to form the government in the last state elections, despite a robust campaign. His assertion reflects a clear intent to learn from past shortcomings and implement a more effective strategy to challenge the ruling Trinamool Congress.