With less than a year to go for West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced its new state president on Wednesday. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Samik Bhattacharya was declared the new state BJP president.

Bhattacharya filed his nomination at 2 pm on Wednesday after returning from Delhi and he achieved the position unopposed because one else filed nomination. Samik Bhattacharya, a veteran BJP leader, stepped into the shoes of Sukanta Majumdar.

Who will hold the baton of the state BJP? Will Sukanta Majumdar be the state president once again? Or will someone else be in charge this time? Many such questions were circulating in political circles with Bengal elections approaching. Samik Bhattacharya’s name was also being heard along with the likes of Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Locket Chatterjee, Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar.

Putting an end to speculation, Bhattacharya’s name was announced on Wednesday. Samik Bhattacharya, who has been with the party since its early days in Bengal, is seen as a balanced and widely accepted face.

Who is Samik Bhattacharya?

A respected party spokesperson and intellectual, Samik Bhattacharya’s USP lies in his deep understanding of political issues and his calm, reasoned arguments. He is seen as a strategic thinker who could provide a strong ideological direction to the party.

Born on November 5, 1963, Samik Bhattacharya graduated from Calcutta University in 1988. He’s been involved in politics for over 42 years.

Bhattacharya, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, is a long-time political activist. He rose from the grassroots. He joined the Swayamsevak Sangh in 1971 at the age of just 8. He then became the general secretary of the Yuva Morcha of South Howrah Mandal. This politician, who has been serving as the General Secretary of the Youth Front for 11 consecutive years, has also served as the State General Secretary for three consecutive terms. He was a member of the party’s National Executive Committee and was also a member of the State Core Committee.

He was also an MLA from Basirhat. He is currently a Rajya Sabha member and also the party spokesperson.

Bhattacharya was part of the central delegation on Operation Sindoor

Notably, Samik Bhattacharya was a member of the central delegation to convey the success story of Operation Sindoor abroad. He is taking control of Bengal politics at a time when it is mired in factional conflicts ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

A section within the party had been pitching for a seasoned leader, Samik Bhattacharya’s name was gaining currency. His sudden and formal visit to BJP National President J P Nadda’s residence in Delhi on Monday also added to the speculations.

Nadda had invited BJP leaders from the delegations that went abroad to explain India’s position on ‘Operation Sindoor’ to his residence. According to BJP sources, Nadda gave Bhattacharya a glimpse of his upcoming responsibilities at the program at his residence on Monday evening. After this, he received an official call from Delhi around 12:30 pm on Wednesday. According to sources, he was asked to file his nomination papers in that call.

Samik Bhattacharya seasoned, popular and balanced

With over 44 years of experience in politics, Bhattacharya has been part of the BJP’s core committee and has played a key role in the party’s decision-making process. Bhattacharya’s relationship with opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari is seen as a factor in his favor for the state president position. He also enjoys support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

“He has remained largely above intra-party groups, is articulate, media-savvy, and has no visible opposition within the organisation. With internal rifts between various powerful lobbies peaking, someone like Samik could be a unifying force,” an office bearer of the party told PTI.

Will Samik Bhattacharya be able to end the sectarian strife in the saffron camp before the assembly elections? The wait begins.