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Bhattacharya often reminisces within his close circle that he joined the BJP at a very young age, during a period when few would carry the party flag amidst the Left era in Bengal.
Samik Bhattacharya filing his nomination with senior BJP leaders in West Bengal. (Image: Facebook/BJPBengal)
Samik Bhattacharya has been unanimously elected as the next State President of the BJP in West Bengal. Under his leadership, the party will contest the 2026 assembly elections. As of 4 pm on Wednesday, only Bhattacharya had filed his nomination, indicating his certain leadership for the upcoming elections. Bhattacharya, who has RSS roots, has served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal since April 3, 2024.
Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari was the proposer for Bhattacharya’s nomination. After his nomination, Bhattacharya visited the oldest party office of BJP at Murlidhar Street.
Bhattacharya was the first BJP member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from the Basirhat Dakshin constituency, serving from 2014 to 2016. He also held the position of Chief Spokesperson of BJP West Bengal from 2020 to 2024.
Bhattacharya often reminisces within his close circle that he joined the BJP at a very young age, during a period when few would carry the party flag amidst the Left Front era in Bengal. He has been associated with the BJP in Bengal for over 40 years.
Why Has Samik Bhattacharya Been Chosen?
Samik Bhattacharya was chosen due to his extensive experience as one of the senior-most leaders in the party. He possesses years of grassroots organisational expertise and a profound understanding of demographic shifts and the complexities of bordering regions. Notably, he was the first BJP MLA from Basirhat South, a constituency situated along the international border, becoming the party’s first representative in the West Bengal Assembly.
With the BJP planning to focus on demographic changes as a key electoral issue, Bhattacharya has emerged as the natural choice to lead the campaign. He enjoys acceptance among both senior and junior members of the party. Sources indicate that leaders such as Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar have supported his selection, with his rapport with Suvendu Adhikari being particularly strong.
Additionally, Bhattacharya’s background with the RSS further strengthens his ideological connection within the party. He joined the RSS in 1971. Party insiders say that RSS stamp appears clear in his selection as state BJP chief. Bhattacharya has been with the BJP for more than 40 years, making him the best person to form a bridge between old and new party members.
Party insiders say with Bhattacharya at the helm, the RSS will start campaigning now for the 2026 Bengal polls. Samik Bhattacharya will be projected as a prominent leader in Bhadralok belt, targeting Rajarhat, Kolkata and suburbs including Durgapur.
Will Work Together: Bhattacharya
Speaking to News 18, Bhattacharya said, “We will all work together. Bengal wants to achieve ‘mukti’ from the current government.”
“Bengal has lost its glory. We need investment and have a lot of work to do,” he said, adding that the party will work together as one and there will be no difference between the old and new people in the party.
When asked what his first priority as state BJP chief will be, he said, “There will be a change of government, and we will work towards that. We will ensure Bengal does not become like Bangladesh.”
Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar…Read More
Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar… Read More
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