In a move signalling renewed political momentum ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA from Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari, is scheduled to visit Delhi on July 22, following his participation in the Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha’s Uttarkanya Abhiyan in Siliguri on July 21, coinciding with the TMC’s Martyrs' Day observance.
The Uttarkanya Abhiyan will be attended by top state BJP leaders including state president Samik Bhattacharya and Adhikari himself.
Adhikari stated that the primary purpose of his Delhi visit is to meet Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. According to sources close to the BJP leader, the meeting will focus on logistics for the upcoming Nabanna Abhiyan on August 9, which has been called by the grieving parents of the young doctor, who was raped killed at RG Kar Hospital last year.
The BJP plans to support the protest by joining the programme without party flags, in coordination with non-political organisations across the state. Given the geographical challenges of mobilising participants from remote districts, Adhikari is expected to request the addition of extra railway coaches to facilitate travel.
“He will discuss the logistics with the Railway Minister, including the number of participants and the required arrangements,” said a BJP leading, adding, “The party will also help arrange tickets for those traveling in the additional coaches from Kolkata.”
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Besides logistical discussions, Adhikari is also expected to raise pending railway infrastructure issues across Bengal, particularly in rail-dependent regions. BJP insiders suggest that the Nandigram MLA may highlight projects that could have electoral benefits in the run-up to 2026, aligning infrastructure development with voter priorities.
“This is not just about the August 9 protest— there’s a broader strategic aim. Adhikari is likely to flag concerns from rail-reliant constituencies and push for expedited work that could boost BJP’s visibility and support base,” the BJP said.
Political observers believe that Adhikari’s sudden trip to Delhi also carries organisational implications. With Shamik Bhattacharya recently replacing Sukanta Majumdar as state BJP president, discussions on the reshaping of the Bengal unit are expected.
“Adhikari remains the most prominent face of the BJP in Bengal,” another senior party functionary said, adding, “The central leadership values his political experience and he is likely to be consulted in shaping the party’s structure and election strategy.”
The BJP's national leadership is reportedly keen on avoiding the missteps of the 2021 Assembly elections, where despite a strong showing in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the party fell short of expectations in the state elections. Sources say that the party is now focusing on early planning, local feedback and tighter coordination between Delhi and the Bengal unit.
With the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections nearing, Adhikari’s Delhi visit marks a key moment in the BJP’s evolving campaign roadmap. From grassroots mobilisation for the August 9 Nabanna Abhiyan to railway connectivity, organisational strategy and national-level coordination, the Nandigram MLA’s agenda reflects the party’s attempt to regroup and re-energise its Bengal unit.
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