Kolkata, 2 July (H.S.): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to name its new West Bengal state president today, following the conclusion of the official selection process. The appointment comes after the elevation of incumbent state chief Sukanta Majumdar to the Union Council of Ministers, necessitating a leadership change in line with the party’s one person, one post policy.

According to a notification issued earlier this week by BJP MLA Deepak Barman, the selection process — including scrutiny, withdrawals, and finalisation of nominations — was scheduled for completion by Wednesday. While voting was kept as an option, party insiders suggest that the new president will likely be chosen through consensus rather than election.

A senior member of the state committee, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that although the nomination process was open to all, signs pointed to a unanimous choice. “It appears unlikely that voting will be necessary. The final announcement today should reflect a consensus candidate,” the source said.

Party sources have indicated that while several names were initially under consideration, the list has now narrowed to two or three potential candidates. Among them is a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, adding weight to the speculation about a national figure taking charge of the state unit.

Sukanta Majumdar, a two-time MP from Balurghat, took over as state president in 2021 after Dilip Ghosh completed his term. Ghosh had served two terms in the position before Majumdar assumed leadership in the aftermath of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.

The announcement of the new president is being closely watched within political circles, as the BJP prepares to recalibrate its West Bengal strategy ahead of the upcoming municipal and panchayat elections, and in the longer run, the 2026 Assembly polls.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh