Kolkata: A day after BJP appointed three co-in-charges for Bengal, party national president Nitin Nabin met state president Samik Bhattacharya, CM Suvendu Adhikari and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar in New Delhi on Thursday. Sources indicated there might soon be a major reshuffle in the state BJP unit. National general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh and Sunil Bansal, the party’s Bengal in-charge, were also present in the meeting.According to BJP sources, at least 17 office-bearers are likely to be changed. “We are expecting the reshuffle within the next 10 days,” a state BJP neta said. Several office-bearers of the party, including Agnimitra Paul, Jagannath Chattopadhyay, Nisith Pramanik, Umesh Rai and Malati Rava, have become ministers in the state.On Thursday, Nabin reappointed Amitava Chakraborty as the general secretary (organisation) of the state. This comes after Lal Singh Arya, Rajendra Singh and Pinki Kushwaha were appointed co-in-charges for Bengal on Wednesday.While none of the state netas commented on the meeting, party insiders did say that Nabin took stock of the preparedness for civic polls. The forthcoming municipal elections will be the party’s first major electoral test in urban areas since forming the govt.Party sources said the central leadership is keen to ensure close coordination between the administration, BJP state organisation and grassroots workers. The emphasis comes as the new govt settles into office.Bhattacharya has already been tasked with strengthening the organisation from the booth level, while Adhikari will focus on consolidating the party’s electoral mandate into governance.Majumdar, in charge of the Kolkata civic polls, is also expected to play a key role in coordinating between Centre, state govt and the party organisation.“The party’s approach reflects a broader transition – from fighting as an opposition force for more than a decade to managing the responsibilities of govt while simultaneously expanding its organisational footprint,” a BJP senior said.
