BJP Strengthens Its Strategy Ahead of West Bengal Assembly Elections

As the West Bengal assembly elections draw near, the BJP is intensifying its preparations by appointing experienced leaders from various states to address internal conflicts and manage election strategies. Key figures like J.P.S. Rathore and Suresh Rana are overseeing critical districts, focusing on resolving differences among local party workers. With a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to unify the party ahead of the elections, the BJP aims to strengthen its presence in areas where it has struggled. However, the TMC's previous portrayal of the BJP as an 'outsider' poses a significant challenge. The party's response to this narrative will be crucial as the elections approach.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 20, 2026, 15:58 IST

BJP's Preparations for West Bengal Elections

As the West Bengal assembly elections approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively working to bolster its organizational structure. To aid in this effort, the party has enlisted several seasoned leaders from other states to assist with election preparations. Over the past month, experienced senior leaders, referred to as 'migrant members,' have been appointed to resolve internal conflicts and manage election strategies at both the district and mandal levels within the Bengal unit.

Among these leaders are UP Minister J.P.S. Rathore, Uttarakhand Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, Rajasthan BJP Kisan Morcha President Kailash Chaudhary, former UP Minister Suresh Rana, Haryana BJP General Secretary Sanjay Bhatia, and former Karnataka Minister C.T. Ravi. Since these leaders primarily speak Hindi, they are accompanied by local leaders who facilitate communication with grassroots workers and the public.

After their deployment in Bengal, these leaders have conducted meetings with party officials at the mandal, assembly, and district levels.

Key Responsibilities of Appointed Leaders

Rathore, who has experience managing the UP assembly elections in 2017 and 2022, as well as the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, has been assigned to oversee 35 assembly seats in West Bengal. His responsibilities include the districts of Contai and Tamluk in East Medinipur, along with Ghatal and Medinipur city in West Medinipur.

Suresh Rana is tasked with supervising Barrackpore, Barasat, and Bongaon in North 24 Parganas. Hailing from Shamli in Western UP, he has previously led the party's electoral efforts in Haryana, Delhi, Tripura, and Madhya Pradesh. He is responsible for 28 assembly constituencies and recently visited Sandeshkhali, a site of significant political controversy following allegations of sexual harassment against local TMC leaders ahead of the 2024 elections.

Sanjay Bhatia has been assigned the Hooghly district, including the Arambagh sub-division and the city of Shrirampur, while Kailash Chaudhary is overseeing party preparations in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, and other districts in North Bengal. All these leaders report to Sunil Bansal, the national general secretary in charge of the state.

Focus on Resolving Internal Differences

Drawing from their experiences in their respective states, these leaders are overseeing political and organizational management. They are also focusing on organizational campaigns and programs, aiming to enhance their presence in polling booths where their influence is currently weak. However, their primary focus remains on resolving differences among local party workers.

During a recent meeting with state-level party leaders, Union Home Minister Amit Shah instructed members to set aside all differences ahead of the assembly elections. Insiders within the BJP described this meeting as an attempt to bridge the gap between the party's old and new leadership at the state level.

Despite the BJP's efforts, the TMC successfully portrayed the party as an 'outsider' in the previous elections, and they are likely to repeat this narrative. It remains to be seen how the BJP will respond to this challenge.