Bengal BJP leaders face Delhi ban over failure to meet 50-lakh membership target by Nov 20

Bengal BJP is grappling with a critical situation as it struggles to meet its membership target of 50 lakh by November 20. The party’s ambitious membership drive, initiated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 27, aimed to enroll 1 crore members from Bengal by the end of November. However, with less than a week remaining, the Bengal BJP has only managed to enroll about 15 lakh members, well below the expected mark.

The central BJP leadership, including General Secretary Rituraj Singh, has expressed dissatisfaction with Bengal's performance in the drive. Sources say that Singh had expected Bengal to significantly contribute to the national membership tally. Despite the slow progress, the Bengal BJP has scheduled another special membership drive on November 17, following the one conducted on November 10, which resulted in the addition of 73,000 new members.

Membership collection efforts have been mixed across Bengal. In southern Bengal, where the BJP’s influence is comparatively weaker, the average enrollment per district stands at approximately 20,000. Meanwhile, districts in northern Bengal have fared better, averaging about 40,000 enrollments. The shift to an app-based registration system has posed challenges, as it requires individuals to fill out a detailed form, unlike the previous missed-call method that made enrollment easier. This change has caused a slowdown in the drive, as many potential members find the new system cumbersome.

Senior leaders of the Bengal BJP, including former state president Dilip Ghosh, MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, and others, have been involved in extensive grassroots campaigns. They have participated in door-to-door outreach and held meetings across urban and rural areas to boost enrollments. Women’s and youth wing leaders such as Dr. Indranil Khan and Falguni Patra have been mobilized to intensify efforts in reaching the targeted numbers.

Bengal BJP leaders are racing against time to ensure the 50-lakh target is met before the November 20 review meeting in Delhi, where the party’s central leadership will assess progress. The membership tally, along with the grassroots participation and organizational strength in the state, will be closely scrutinized. If the target is not met, the Bengal BJP’s leadership may face consequences, including exclusion from future central meetings and further scrutiny over organizational performance.