Flanked By Sukanta And Suvendu, Samik Bhattacharya Set To Lead Bengal BJP Into 2026 Battle Against TMC

Samik Bhattacharya is set to become West Bengal BJP president uncontested, succeeding Sukanta Majumdar. His nomination was the only one filed till the evening deadline.

Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, accompanied by outgoing Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, submitted his nomination at the BJP’s Salt Lake office in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Source : X/@BJP4Bengal

Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya is poised to become the new president of the West Bengal BJP, with no other contenders filing nominations by Wednesday’s deadline, according to party leaders. Bhattacharya, accompanied by outgoing president Sukanta Majumdar and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, submitted his nomination at the BJP’s Salt Lake office in Kolkata, paving the way for an uncontested elevation.

Only One Nomination Filed, Announcement By Tomorrow

A party notice outlined that nominations were accepted between 2 pm and 4 pm, with scrutiny and withdrawal allowed until 6 pm on Wednesday. Since Bhattacharya was the sole candidate to file papers by the deadline, he is likely to be declared elected without a contest. “The announcement will be made either this evening or tomorrow at a felicitation ceremony,” a state BJP leader told news agency PTI. It cited sources as stating that the formal declaration could happen during an event at Science City Auditorium in Kolkata.

The selection process, which began a day after the official schedule was announced, has seen significant internal deliberations. While there was speculation around multiple candidates, including current president Sukanta Majumdar and other aspirants like BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, most insiders noted that Bhattacharya emerged as the preferred candidate of the central leadership. According to PTI, Bhattacharya’s visit to BJP national president J P Nadda in Delhi, where he met with senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, reinforced perceptions of his impending appointment.

As per PTI, a BJP insider revealed, “Although Bhattacharya maintained his meeting with Nadda was to brief him about the recently concluded parliamentary delegation visit post-Operation Sindoor, sources hinted that his name may be the sole nomination submitted in a sealed envelope.”

Divided Opinions on New Bengal BJP Leadership

The possibility of Bhattacharya taking over comes as the party gears up for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Some leaders argue a change is necessary to inject fresh energy, while others fear that replacing Majumdar now could destabilise the organisation so close to the polls, PTI reported. Majumdar, who has served as president since 2021 and is currently Union Minister of State for Education, remains a significant figure; however, BJP’s ‘one person, one post’ policy may prevent him from continuing in both roles.

News agency ANI quoted BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh saying, “As far as I know, BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya is the only candidate who has filed nomination for the post of West Bengal BJP President…We have to remove the current government from West Bengal…We have to save West Bengal…We will do everything to make sure that the BJP comes to power in the state.”

#WATCH | Kolkata | BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh says, "...BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya is the only candidate who has filed nomination for the post of West Bengal BJP President...We have to remove the current government from West Bengal...We have to save West Bengal...We will do… pic.twitter.com/GpD4vjvjEe

— ANI (@ANI) July 2, 2025

Meanwhile, political observers remain split on Bhattacharya’s prospects: some view him as a unifying leader acceptable across factions, while others question his ability to mobilise mass support. According to PTI, BJP office bearer noted Bhattacharya’s strengths: “He has remained largely above intra-party groups, is articulate, media-savvy, and has no visible opposition within the organisation.”

Sources told PTI the official confirmation of the new president is likely on July 3, during a felicitation programme at Science City Auditorium. While 415 state council members are eligible to vote if an election occurs, most leaders anticipate an uncontested outcome.  

As the final moments of the process unfold, one state party leader summed up the prevailing mood, telling PTI on Tuesday, “Samik da is leading the race now. He fits the requirement for a face that appeals to both the grassroots and the central leadership.”