The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looks set to form the government in West Bengal for the first time. Attention has now shifted to the likely chief ministerial candidate. During the campaign, Union Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly said the party would pick a Bengali leader. This move aimed to counter the Trinamool Congress (TMC) narrative that labels the BJP as an “outsider” party.
Suvendu Adhikari stands out as the top contender. He once worked closely with Mamata Banerjee but joined the BJP in December 2020. His switch dealt a major blow to the TMC before the 2021 Assembly elections. He gained national attention after defeating Banerjee in Nandigram. The seat holds strong political value due to the anti-land acquisition movement of 2011.
The BJP did not form the government in 2021 and won 77 seats. However, Adhikari became the Leader of the Opposition. He consistently targeted the ruling party inside and outside the Assembly. He also handled post-poll challenges and supported party workers. Over time, he built a strong presence across the state beyond Purba Medinipur.
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BJP Strategy: Win First, Choose CM Later
Samik Bhattacharya, the current state BJP president, is another prominent name in contention. A long-time party member with roots in the RSS, he is considered a moderate and intellectual face of the BJP. As the party’s first elected MLA in West Bengal, Bhattacharya could appeal to the traditional Bengali middle-class, or “bhadralok,” if the party opts for such representation.
Other possible candidates include Swapan Dasgupta, a former journalist known for his proximity to the central leadership, and Dilip Ghosh, who played a major role in expanding the BJP’s presence in the state. Additionally, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar could be considered if the party seeks to project leadership from north Bengal, a region where it enjoys strong support.
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