Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday laid down tough rules for BJP leaders in West Bengal as the party prepares for the upcoming state Assembly elections, due in the next four months.
During a closed-door meeting in Kolkata with BJP MPs, MLAs, councillors, and organizational leaders, Shah told party representatives to spend at least four days a week in their constituencies. He also asked them to hold at least five street-corner meetings every day to strengthen grassroots outreach.
According to a party leader present at the meeting, Shah made it clear that leaders would have to “prove their worth” through ground work if they want a party ticket for the high-stakes elections.
Dilip Ghosh back in focus
Calling for unity within the party, Shah signalled that former West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh will once again play a key role in the state’s politics. Ghosh, who had stayed away from the spotlight for several months, was invited to the meeting, indicating his renewed importance.
Shah also held a separate meeting with Ghosh, former state president Sukanta Majumdar, current state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, suggesting efforts to bridge gaps between senior and newer leaders.
“I can’t say much, but you will see an active Dilip Ghosh in the 2026 polls. I was called to share my experiences and opinions,” Ghosh told reporters after the meeting.
Focus on grassroots and booth-level workers
Shah, seen as the BJP’s main election strategist, listened to feedback from the party’s 2024 Lok Sabha candidates about what worked and what did not during their campaigns. He asked them to share detailed inputs about Assembly seats under their parliamentary areas.
Another senior BJP leader said Shah stressed strong booth-level mobilisation and the deployment of ‘vistaraks’ (grassroots workers) across all constituencies to strengthen the party’s base.
“He highlighted the importance of booth workers and said they are key to winning elections in Bengal,” the leader said.
Big push ahead of 2026 polls
Senior BJP MP Khagen Murmu said he is ready to fight the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) despite facing attacks during recent visits. “I am not afraid. The people of north Bengal and the rest of the state are with us,” he said.
Shah is also expected to spend a few days every month in Kolkata in the run-up to the 2026 polls. During the meeting, he invoked icons like Swami Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore, promising to revive Bengal’s culture and heritage if the BJP comes to power.
Earlier this week, Shah attacked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of encouraging illegal infiltration from Bangladesh for political gains and indulging in corruption. He said infiltration would be a major issue in the BJP’s campaign.
After the meeting with party leaders, Shah addressed a workers’ conference in Kolkata, visited the Thantania Kali Temple, and later left for Delhi.
