BJP’s central unit asks state unit to explain MP’s outburst

The BJP’s central leadership has summoned party’s West Bengal president and Rajya Sabha MP, Shamik Bhattacharya, to Delhi after controversial comments by Abhijit Gangopadhyay, the former judge-turned-MP from Tamluk, questioning the central leadership’s approach to Bengal politics.

According to party sources, Bhattacharya met BJP’s national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh in Delhi on Tuesday evening to explain Gangopadhyay’s recent remarks and to discuss the internal situation in the Bengal unit. The meeting, sources said, was also attended by Sunil Bansal, the party’s Bengal observer. Gangopadhyay, who joined the BJP earlier this year after resigning from the Calcutta High Court, had recently courted controversy by publicly criticising the party’s strategy in Bengal. In a media interview last week, he said that the central leadership did not fully understand the Bengali psyche, asserting that bringing in leaders from the Hindi heartland to campaign in Bengal would not work.

Advertisement

“People in West Bengal don’t think like those in the Hindi belt. Their emotions, temperament and sense of pride are different — something Delhi-based leaders fail to grasp,” he had said, in what was widely seen as a direct attack on the party’s central leadership. His comments triggered unease within the BJP, particularly with the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon. Senior leaders fear that such statements could send a wrong message to the cadre and undermine the party’s efforts to strengthen its organisation in the state.

Party insiders said that the central leadership viewed Gangopadhyay’s outburst as indiscipline, prompting Santosh to seek an immediate explanation from the state unit. During the meeting, Bhattacharya was asked what steps had been taken by the Bengal leadership following Gangopadhyay’s remarks and whether any disciplinary action was being considered. Santosh reportedly directed Bhattacharya to ensure that such public statements are not repeated and that internal issues, if any, are addressed within the party forum.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari also met Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Monday evening. In a post on X today, Adhikari wrote: “Yesterday evening, had a productive 30-minute meeting with Hon’ble Union Home & Cooperation Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji at his residence. Discussed several key issues related to West Bengal. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support.” Political circles in Bengal view both meetings as part of a broader effort by the BJP’s central leadership to contain internal dissent and realign the party’s Bengal strategy ahead of the crucial 2026 elections.