With the 2026 Assembly elections come closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced its new state committee, effecting a major organisational reshuffle aimed at energising the party ahead of the polls.
The newly-constituted state committee has been formed under the leadership of BJP’s veteran leader Shamik Bhattacharya, who was recently elected as the new state president. Party sources said the reorganisation reflects a blend of experience and fresh faces, with an emphasis on electoral preparedness. As part of the revamp, 12 leaders have been appointed as vice-presidents. The list includes former Union minister of state for home affairs Nishith Pramanik, MP Manoj Tigga and MLA Agnimitra Paul. Trinamul Congress turncoat Tapas Roy has also been accommodated as a vice-president, while Raju Bandopadhyay ~ who had earlier complained of being sidelined within the party ~ has been included in the committee. Bandopadhyay is widely regarded as close to former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh. However, the absence of several prominent leaders from the 35-members state committee has triggered intense political speculation.
Notably missing are former state president Dilip Ghosh, Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, and Union minister and former state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar. The omission of Dilip Ghosh has particularly drawn attention, especially as Union home minister Amit Shah had recently urged him to play a more active role during his visit to the state. Following Shah’s remarks, Ghosh had intensified his political activities, making his exclusion from the new committee a subject of debate within party circles. His supporters expressed surprise and concern over the development.
Soumitra Khan has been appointed as a general secretary of the state unit, while Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato has also been entrusted with the same responsibility. MLA Shankar Ghosh has been named as a state secretary. BJP leaders claimed that the new committee seeks to strike a balance between continuity and change, bringing together senior leaders and emerging organisers.
Alongside the state committee, the BJP also announced the names of presidents for its frontal organisations. MP Khagen Murmu has been appointed president of the ST Morcha, Indranil Khan will head the Yuva Morcha, while Falguni Patra has been given charge of the Mahila Morcha. Ali Hossain has been named president of the Minority Morcha. Several leaders, including Priyanka Tibrewal and MLA Ashok Dinda, do not figure in the new organisational set-up.
According to BJP sources, the party had decided not to assign organisational responsibilities to leaders who are likely to be candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections. With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process nearing completion, the Election Commission of India is expected to announce the Assembly poll schedule soon. As political parties gear up for a high-stakes electoral battle, the BJP’s latest organisational overhaul is being seen as an attempt to streamline internal differences and present a united front ahead of the crucial contest.