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Key Points

Veteran BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has openly expressed his interest in contesting the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections from Kharagpur (Sadar). His political journey includes being a former state president and national vice-president of the BJP. While he acknowledges the final decision rests with the party's central leadership, Ghosh remains hopeful about returning to his original constituency. His political track record includes winning from Kharagpur (Sadar) in 2016 and later transitioning to Lok Sabha politics.

Key Points: Dilip Ghosh Targets West Midnapore Seat in 2026 Bengal Polls

  • Ghosh seeks return to Kharagpur (Sadar) constituency
  • BJP leadership will decide final candidate
  • Previously elected MLA in 2016 from same seat
  • Experienced political veteran with Lok Sabha background
2 min read

Dilip Ghosh keen to contest 2026 Bengal polls from West Midnapore constituency

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh expresses desire to contest 2026 Bengal Assembly polls from his original 2016 Kharagpur (Sadar) constituency

"I cannot certainly claim that I will be the party's candidate - Dilip Ghosh"

Kolkata, July 23

BJP's former national vice-president and the former state president in West Bengal, Dilip Ghosh, on Wednesday, said that he is keen to contest as a party candidate in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls but from the same Assembly constituency from where he got elected for the first time in 2016.

In 2016, Ghosh contested from Kharagpur (Sadar) in West Midnapore constituency. However, he had to resign as the MLA from Kharagpur (Sadar) in 2019 after winning from the Midnapore Lok Sabha constituency in the same year.

In 2024, he contested from the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency in West Burdwan district but lost.

"I had just completed six months as the new state party president in 2016, and my party's central leadership directed me to contest the state assembly elections that year. I was given a choice of seat then, and I decided to contest from the Kharagpur (Sadar) constituency," he said.

He pointed out that if the party says he is keen to contest from Kharagpur (Sadar) again.

"I cannot certainly claim that I will be the party's candidate from Kharagpur (Sadar). It is to be decided by the central leadership. But if they ask me to contest the election, then I will contest," Ghosh said.

However, Ghosh also expressed his displeasure over the party's decision to shift him as the party candidate from Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency in 2024 from Midnapore, where he was elected in 2019.

"The party conducted an experiment in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. It did not work. It is now up to the leadership to take a call on this," Ghosh said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Interesting to see BJP leaders openly expressing displeasure about party decisions. Shows internal democracy or cracks in the party? 🤔 Either way, Ghosh is a strong grassroots leader who deserves his old seat back.
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Aman W
As a resident of Kharagpur, I remember Ghosh did good work here last time. Roads improved and local issues were addressed. Would welcome his return rather than getting new faces every election.
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Priyanka N
While I respect Ghosh's experience, BJP needs fresh faces too. The party lost badly in Bengal in 2024 - maybe time for new strategies and younger candidates who connect with today's voters.
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Vikram M
Ghosh is right about the failed experiment! BJP central leadership should trust regional leaders who understand local dynamics. Too much Delhi interference is harming the party in Bengal. #LetLocalLeadersLead
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Nisha Z
Whether it's Ghosh or someone else, what Bengal needs is development-focused leaders. Too much political drama while basic issues remain unsolved. Hope 2026 brings real change for our state.

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