The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal faces internal strife following its second consecutive electoral setback, with former state president Dilip Ghosh publicly criticizing the party’s campaign strategy and leadership.
Dilip Ghosh, who led the BJP to a surprising victory in 18 of West Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, expressed discontentment over the party’s recent performance. He cited the neglect of veteran party workers and the over-reliance on new entrants as detrimental factors in a social media post, quoting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
While Dilip Ghosh did not directly name anyone, his remarks were interpreted as a veiled criticism of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, who played a significant role in ticket distribution for the Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP’s decline to 12 seats in the recent elections, with key losses including Dilip Ghosh’s own constituency of Medinipur, prompted further rebuke from the former state president. Dilip Ghosh lamented being denied a ticket from Medinipur and questioned the party’s electoral strategy.
Dilip Ghosh highlighted instances like former Union minister Debasree Choudhury being shifted from her previous constituency, suggesting internal discontent within the party ranks. This internal strife has given an opportunity for the Trinamool Congress to criticize the BJP’s leadership and its performance in West Bengal.
The recent electoral setback marks the BJP’s second disappointment since its remarkable performance in 2019. With internal divisions surfacing, the party faces challenges in regaining its political footing in the state.
