In a significant organisational overhaul ahead of the crucial state assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal announced a major reshuffle of its state committee on Wednesday. The move strategically blends experienced leaders with fresh faces while aiming to balance electoral candidates with organisational responsibilities.
Strategic Balance and Key Exclusions
The party leadership executed a careful reset, designed to address internal rivalries and rehabilitate the old cadre base. The new 35-member state committee saw some prominent exclusions. Former state unit chief Dilip Ghosh was notably kept out of the panel. Other significant leaders left out include Priyanka Tibrewal and MLA Ashok Dinda.
A senior Bengal BJP leader explained the strategy, stating, "Almost all vice-presidents are likely to contest in the elections. General secretaries are usually not nominated for polls. The party tried to strike a balance through a careful selection of netas who have been given organisational responsibilities and who are likely to be nominated for polls. Besides, the old cadre base has been rehabilitated."
New Appointments and Responsibilities
The reshuffle brought several leaders into key positions. Saumitra Khan, Bapi Goswami, and Shashi Agnihotri were appointed as general secretaries. Khan, who switched from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to the BJP in 2019, has been a loyalist despite not holding major responsibilities until now. Goswami previously led the party's Jalpaiguri district unit, while Agnihotri is a former general secretary of the Mahila Morcha. Locket Chatterjee and Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato retained their posts as general secretaries.
On the vice-presidential front, the party appointed Agnimitra Paul, Jagannath Chattopadhyay, and Deepak Barman as state unit vice-presidents. They join Raju Banerjee, who remains in his vice-presidential role. The list of twelve vice-presidents also includes former Union ministers Debasree Chaudhuri and Nisith Pramanik, as well as Manoj Tigga, Amitabh Roy, Tanuja Chakraborty, and Prabal Raha. Chakraborty, a key Mahila Morcha leader, had been sidelined for a long time, and Raha is recognised for his organisational skills.
Surprise Inclusions and Front Leadership
A notable surprise was the inclusion of former TMC MLA Tapas Roy, who joined the BJP just a year ago, in the vice-presidents' list. The party also confirmed the leadership of its various frontal organisations.
- Indranil Khan will continue to lead the youth front.
- Falguni Patra has been retained as the president of the women's front.
- Veteran leader Ali Hossain, who is close to the RSS, has been made in-charge of the Minority Morcha, replacing Charles Nandi.
- Rajib Bhowmik will head the farmers' front.
- Subhendu Sarkar will look after the OBC front.
- Khagen Murmu will be responsible for the ST front.
This comprehensive reshuffle signals the Bengal BJP's intent to streamline its organisation and present a united, balanced front as it prepares for the upcoming electoral battle in the state.
