In a significant strategic move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to actively deploy its former state president, Dilip Ghosh, in the build-up to the crucial West Bengal Assembly elections, likely scheduled for April. This development comes after Ghosh was personally roped in by senior leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
From Sidelines to Campaign Trail
Dilip Ghosh, whose influence within the state BJP had diminished following the party's defeat in the 2021 Assembly polls and his subsequent removal as state chief, is now back in the core fold. The revival of his role began when Amit Shah invited him to a key party strategy meeting. Following this, Ghosh met with the current West Bengal BJP president, Samik Bhattacharya, at the party's Salt Lake office in Kolkata to chart out his campaign itinerary.
Ghosh is slated to kick off his campaign with a rally in Barrackpore on January 6. His schedule is packed, with plans to address approximately 16 public meetings across the state throughout January. This aggressive timeline is designed to maximize outreach before a ban on loudspeakers comes into effect during the Class X and XII board examinations.
A Packed Campaign Itinerary
Sources indicate that Ghosh's campaign will cover key regions of West Bengal. After the Barrackpore rally, he is expected to hold another significant public meeting in Durgapur alongside state chief Samik Bhattacharya around January 13. The same day, he is also scheduled to address supporters in the BJP's northern stronghold of Cooch Behar. In between these major rallies, he will conduct smaller meetings across various constituencies.
Emphasizing his commitment, Ghosh stated, "I have told them (party leadership) that I am available 24×7." He described himself as a "weapon" to be used at "special times," highlighting the party's intent to utilize his oratory skills. He confirmed that Amit Shah has directly instructed him to focus on election preparations.
Navigating Internal Dynamics and Electoral Ambitions
Ghosh addressed several internal and political questions during his interactions. On contesting the upcoming polls, he expressed willingness if the party fields him, though he showed a clear preference for his former bastion, Kharagpur. He referred to his loss from the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a seat he said was "not to my liking."
He also touched upon the party's internal dynamics, particularly his relationship with the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. Ghosh asserted that he has no reservations about sharing a stage with Adhikari, dismissing talks of a strained relationship as inconsequential for the party's mission.
Despite the BJP's performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Bengal, Ghosh remained optimistic. He pointed out the influx of new members from other parties and cited the BJP's victories in states like Odisha and Tripura as evidence that "nothing is impossible."
In a swipe at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), Ghosh commented on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent temple foundation-laying ceremonies, suggesting it was a diversionary tactic. "When there are no jobs, no industry, TMC likes to divert," he claimed, asserting that people are not interested in such actions.
This redeployment marks a calculated shift by the BJP's central leadership to consolidate its ground game in West Bengal by bringing experienced but sidelined leaders back to the forefront ahead of the high-stakes electoral battle.
