BJP hits 40 lakh membership target amid setbacks, Sukanta Majumdar confirms success in Bengal

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal has successfully achieved its 40 lakh membership target as of January 3, 2025, after an extensive membership campaign that began in October 2024. Initially, the BJP had set a goal of enrolling 1 crore members in the state, but the membership collection process faced multiple challenges, including delays in some districts, logistical difficulties, and a lack of synchronization in early efforts. Despite these hurdles, the party managed to achieve significant progress by the end of the campaign.

BJP's state president Sukanta Majumdar confirmed the achievement, stating, "We are very happy with the progress. By January 3, we have reached 40 lakh members, and we have ensured that the process has been transparent and systematic." He added that the membership drive not only focused on numbers but also aimed at maintaining transparency, which had been a key concern in earlier drives. This was a notable shift from the past, as previous membership campaigns had faced accusations of malpractice, especially involving the use of missed calls as a primary enrollment method.

In the early phase of the membership drive, the BJP faced difficulties in meeting its targets, especially in certain districts where the party struggled to gather momentum. While some regions showed enthusiasm, others lagged behind. This discrepancy in participation led to internal concerns within the BJP, with party leaders questioning whether the 1 crore target could be met. The leadership responded by intensifying efforts in key districts and focusing on more targeted outreach.

In the final phase, the BJP focused its efforts on specific districts that showed promise. Areas like South Dinajpur, Nadia North and South, Jalpaiguri, and Tamluk saw an increase in activity as local leaders and workers ramped up membership collection efforts. BJP's leadership in these regions, including Sukanta Majumdar's South Dinajpur, worked aggressively to bring in new members. In the Ranaghat North-East region, BJP MLA Ashim Biswas played a key role in pushing the numbers up, contributing significantly to the final push.

The last seven days of the campaign saw a concentrated effort to ensure the numbers met the target. Party workers across the state engaged in door-to-door campaigns, as well as local rallies and events to promote membership enrollment. Additionally, the BJP made efforts to improve the verification process, which had been a point of contention in past drives. While the membership collection campaign officially ended on January 3, the BJP clarified that it would continue enrolling members beyond the deadline, with a focus on ensuring that the process remains transparent and authentic.

The shift away from just relying on missed calls for membership was a major step in the campaign's final phase. The party implemented more robust verification systems and ensured that the new members' details were accurately recorded. These changes were aimed at boosting the credibility of the drive and making the membership count more legitimate. The BJP also stated that the drive was not just about numbers but about creating a stronger, more connected base in West Bengal for the upcoming electoral challenges.