In a move that has intensified internal discord within the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former state president Dilip Ghosh has openly questioned the electoral efficacy of religion-centric politics. This comes a day after his crucial meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Ghosh's Critique of Temple Politics
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Ghosh made a pointed reference to the party's performance in the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency during the 2024 general elections. Despite the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya falling within this constituency, the BJP faced defeat. Using this example, Ghosh asserted that "mandir-masjid issues do not impact poll results." He further argued that it would be incorrect to assume that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could secure a victory in the 2026 assembly polls merely by constructing temples.
Veiled Attack on Party 'Entrants'
Without naming any individuals, the senior BJP leader also took an indirect dig at politicians who have recently joined the party's state unit. "Everyone is a worker in BJP. Recent entrants have to prove their identity," Ghosh stated. This remark is widely perceived as a swipe at several leaders who defected from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, some of whom have been given prominent positions.
Ghosh also addressed his own perceived marginalisation within the party hierarchy. He revealed that he had communicated to the central leadership about being isolated due to "baseless, agenda-driven theories." Expressing his faith in the party brass, he added, "I am not afraid of getting lost. I have faith in them." In a related development, Ghosh met with the current state BJP president, Samik Bhattacharya, to seek permission for a three-day campaign tour in Kharagpur starting Saturday. He indicated his desire to contest from his home seat in the 2026 assembly polls.
Top BJP Leadership's Bengal Itinerary
The political heat in Bengal is set to rise further with a series of visits by the party's top national leaders this month. According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold a rally in north Bengal in the third week of January. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit Kolkata by the month's end. Furthermore, BJP national president and Union Minister, J.P. Nadda, is scheduled to be in the city on January 8. These visits underscore the party's intensified focus on the state ahead of the upcoming electoral battles.
The public airing of grievances by a stalwart like Dilip Ghosh highlights the simmering tensions and factional challenges the BJP faces in West Bengal as it strategises to unseat the ruling Trinamool Congress government.
