Kolkata, 31 December (H.S.): With only a few months left until the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has personally stepped in to resolve internal conflicts within the Bengal BJP and fine-tune the election strategy. The central leadership has become fully active to ensure a BJP victory in the state.

Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata on Monday night. His objective is reportedly to explain the roadmap for the 2026 elections to party leaders and workers. On Wednesday morning, he held a crucial meeting with BJP MPs and MLAs at a hotel in Kolkata. Following this, Amit Shah held separate meetings with four prominent faces of the state BJP: Shamik Bhattacharya, Suvendu Adhikari, Sukanta Majumdar, and Dilip Ghosh.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, BJP National General Secretary Sunil Bansal, and former Chief Minister Biplab Deb were also present at these meetings. According to sources, Amit Shah listened to each leader individually and reviewed the organizational situation.

However, the absence of some key leaders from these meetings also became a topic of discussion. As per information, important MPs and MLAs associated with the Matua community—Shantanu Thakur, Subrata Thakur, Asim Sarkar, as well as Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj—did not attend the meeting.

According to sources, in the meeting with MPs and MLAs, Amit Shah discussed several important issues and issued clear directives. BJP MLAs have reportedly been instructed to increase their grassroots work in their respective constituencies. They have been asked to spend at least four days a week in their constituencies and organize at least five padyatras (foot marches) or public meetings.

Most importantly, securing a ticket for the 2026 Assembly elections will not be easy. The central leadership appears to be extremely cautious regarding candidate selection this time. Amit Shah has made it clear that MLAs will have to prove their merit and public connect in the next two months to get a ticket again. Only those leaders who meet these standards will get a chance to become candidates.

Notably, the Bengal BJP faced considerable discontent and protests over candidate selection in the previous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Allegations had surfaced that candidates' names were finalized from Delhi without consulting grassroots workers. It is believed that to prevent a similar situation from recurring, this time, merit and performance are being given priority.

Sources also said that several sitting MLAs may have their constituencies changed in the upcoming elections. Additionally, Amit Shah has instructed former MPs to become immediately active in their respective areas.

Overall, Amit Shah's visit is being seen as a clear message of discipline, unity, and grassroots activism for the Bengal BJP ahead of the 2026 elections.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey