BJP's Sunil Bansal slams MPs and MLAs for poor performance, urges focus ahead of 2026 elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has experienced significant setbacks in recent elections, with underwhelming results in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and further disappointments in the 2024 by-elections. The party had been optimistic about retaining several key constituencies, but several of these seats were lost, including the Madarihat seat, which had previously been won by the BJP. These losses have raised concerns within the party about its organizational strength and voter support in the state.

In response, Sunil Bansal, the BJP's national general secretary and central observer for West Bengal, held a virtual meeting with state BJP leaders to address the party's performance. During the meeting, Bansal highlighted the importance of elected representatives focusing on their constituencies and local issues. He pointed out that the party had been monitoring the activities of its MPs and MLAs and had observed that many were not regularly visiting their constituencies or engaging with local concerns. Bansal emphasized that such behavior would not be acceptable, as the party expects its representatives to prioritize their areas of responsibility.

Bansal’s comments were directed at encouraging BJP leaders to strengthen their presence at the grassroots level. He underscored that success in elections should not lead to complacency, and that elected officials must remain actively involved in their constituencies to build a strong organizational base. Bansal raised the issue of member recruitment and questioned why some leaders were struggling to collect new members despite holding office.

To address these challenges, Bansal recommended that the party tap into the experience of veteran leaders like Dilip Ghosh and Rahul Sinha to assist in organizational efforts. The central leadership has suggested a greater role for senior figures in strengthening the party's ground-level presence ahead of future elections. With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, the BJP is focusing on addressing organizational issues and increasing its engagement with voters in key constituencies. The recent by-election losses, including in Madarihat, have highlighted the need for stronger local leadership and more effective constituency management.