The beleaguered Bengal BJP unit might get a new chief in another month or so, said sources in the party, in the wake of its dismal performance in the ongoing membership drive.
Sources said there was a likelihood of a new name replacing current chief Sukanta Majumdar in January-end or the first week of February. This could follow the expected announcement of a new national president for the party, to succeed J.P. Nadda, by January 20.
The Bengal membership drive is scheduled to end by December 31. So far, the party is falling short of even one-third of the one-crore membership target in Bengal.
"The central leadership is deeply dissatisfied with the party's performance during the membership drive. A lack of coordination at the upper levels of the party trickled down to the grassroots, resulting in the party falling short of even one-third of the one crore target, despite the deadline being extended twice,” said a source.
"The BJP is seeking a full-time state president to unify its ranks ahead of the critical Assembly elections in 2026. With limited time remaining, the central leadership aims to finalise the appointment, ensuring the new leader has at least one year to prepare for the election,” he said.
The dissatisfaction within the party was evident from BJP veteran Tathagata Roy's post on X. “Appointment of BJP’s National President is IMPORTANT BUT NOT URGENT. The next Lok Sabha elections are 5 years away and the country is safe under Narendra Modiji. But West Bengal is in a crisis. A full time President ought to have been elected LAST MONTH," wrote Roy.
He added that "the hapless BJP staggers on with a part-time president", referring to Majumdar who is a junior member of the Union cabinet.