Kolkata : West Bengal BJP has made organizational changes and appointed Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya as the new state president of the party. His selection has come at a time when the party is facing continuous electoral failures in the state. After the defeat in the 2021 assembly elections, the 2023 panchayat elections and the poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha, all eyes are now on Bhattacharya’s strategic abilities.
Samik Bhattacharya’s political career began in the 1970s with the RSS branch in Mandirtala, Howrah. He was active in the organisation through ABVP and BJYM and held various positions within the BJP for three decades. He has held positions such as general secretary, vice-president and chief spokesperson.
In 2014, he entered the assembly by winning the by-election from Basirhat South assembly seat. This victory was considered the first major success of BJP in Bengal without an alliance. However, he lost the election in 2016. He also contested from Shyampukur in 2006 and Basirhat Lok Sabha seat in 2014, but could not win.
Bhattacharya was the chief spokesperson of the party from 2020 to 2024. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in April 2024. In Parliament, he has been vocal on issues like electoral reforms, federalism and internal security. Within the party, he has had good rapport with leaders like Tathagata Roy, Dilip Ghosh, Sukanta Majumdar and Shubhendu Adhikari.
The biggest challenge before Bhattacharya is to reorganize the BJP organization, resolve internal differences, and prepare an effective strategy for the 2026 assembly elections. The party has made him the state president considering his Sangh loyalty, political balance and organizational experience.
Welcoming the appointment of Samik Bhattacharya, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “He is capable of giving a new direction to the organisation. This decision is the need of the hour.”
