BJP leadership crisis in Bengal: Suvendu Adhikari, Sukanta Majumdar, and Dilip Ghosh in the race

BJP in West Bengal is facing a leadership vacuum with growing discussions surrounding the future of its state president position. Sukanta Majumdar, who was the state president and is currently serving as the Union Minister of State for Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has come under scrutiny for the party’s declining performance in recent years. Since his tenure began, BJP has faced significant defeats in multiple elections, including the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections where the party’s hopes of unseating the Trinamool Congress (TMC) were dashed. Following the Assembly polls, the BJP’s losses continued in Panchayat, Municipal, and Lok Sabha by-elections. Additionally, its representation in the state assembly has decreased from 77 seats in 2021 to 66 seats currently, and its presence in the Lok Sabha has dropped from 18 to 12 seats after the 2019 elections.

Amid this backdrop, some BJP leaders have raised concerns over Majumdar’s leadership and have suggested a change. Key figures such as Tathagata Roy, a former BJP leader, and Arjun Singh, the sitting MP from Barrackpore, have supported Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, as a potential successor. Adhikari, a former TMC leader, joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 elections and is seen by many as a strong contender to lead the party in the state. His supporters believe that his leadership could invigorate the party and provide it with the necessary edge in future elections. They point to his grassroots support and influence in various regions of Bengal as a factor that could help the BJP regain ground lost in recent years.

Despite the calls for a change, Sukanta Majumdar has defended his tenure, emphasizing his continued loyalty to the party. Majumdar, addressing the growing speculation about his future, said, "Whether I am an MP or not, my allegiance to BJP remains strong." He has also underscored that his commitment to the party and its goals has not wavered, and he remains confident that the BJP will continue to work towards establishing good governance in West Bengal. Majumdar's statements highlight his belief that party loyalty should remain constant, regardless of individual positions within the organization.

In addition to Adhikari’s name, Dilip Ghosh, who previously served as the state president of BJP in Bengal, has also been mentioned in discussions about the future leadership. Ghosh, known for his combative political style, was seen as a significant force in BJP’s rise in Bengal in the years leading up to the 2021 Assembly elections. However, since Majumdar took over as state president, Ghosh’s role in the party has diminished. Some BJP members have argued that Ghosh’s experience and established political network could play a pivotal role in revitalizing the party’s position in Bengal, especially in light of its declining influence. His supporters believe that Ghosh’s leadership could help the BJP address internal divisions and create a more cohesive opposition to the TMC.

With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections fast approaching, BJP faces mounting pressure to resolve its leadership crisis and present a strong, unified front. The party is striving to rebuild its credibility in a state where the TMC remains dominant. For BJP to gain ground in Bengal, analysts suggest that it needs a full-time, decisive state president who can consolidate party support and build a viable opposition against the ruling TMC. The ongoing leadership discussion within BJP reflects the party’s internal struggles and its quest for a leader capable of leading it through the electoral challenges in the state.