West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday met 16 former BJP legislators who were denied party tickets in the recent Assembly elections, assuring them that the party was considering how best to utilise their experience and organisational strengths in the future.
The meeting took place at the Assembly after the first day of the new BJP government's maiden Budget Session. According to party sources, the former legislators were invited by Adhikari for discussions on their future role within the party and government framework.
Sources said Adhikari conveyed that the BJP leadership remained mindful of their contributions and was exploring ways to involve them either in administrative responsibilities or organisational assignments.
"The party is thinking about your future role. Discussions are underway regarding how your experience can be utilised," Adhikari is learnt to have told the leaders during the meeting.
Among those present were former MLAs Rabindranath Maity, Bishwanath Karak, Ashish Biswas and Madhusudan Bag, along with several other leaders who did not receive nominations for the Assembly elections despite having represented their constituencies in the past.
Party insiders indicated that Adhikari also informed the former legislators that consultations were ongoing with BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya and the party's central observer Sunil Bansal regarding their future responsibilities.
Several of the leaders who attended the meeting had represented constituencies considered strongholds of the BJP in previous elections. Madhusudan Bag had served as the MLA from Arambagh, while Bishwanath Karak represented Goghat. Both were denied tickets despite retaining a visible presence in organisational and constituency-level activities.
Political observers note that candidate selection in some constituencies was influenced by internal factional dynamics within the party. In several cases, the BJP opted for alternative candidates in an attempt to minimise organisational disputes ahead of the election.
Former Bhagabanpur MLA Rabindranath Maity was also among those who attended the meeting. Maity had previously attracted attention after visiting Ayodhya on the day of the Ram Temple inauguration, despite the party leadership advising leaders and workers to commemorate the occasion within their respective constituencies.
The interaction came on the opening day of the Budget Session of the Assembly. State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta is scheduled to present the first Budget of the new government on June 22, while the session is expected to continue until June 25.
Following the Assembly proceedings, Adhikari also held discussions on legislative business and Budget-related matters. According to sources, he is likely to remain occupied with preparations for International Yoga Day and may not attend the Assembly on Friday.
Meanwhile, English Bazar MLA Amlan Bhadury formally assumed charge as the Chief Whip of the ruling party on Thursday, marking another key organisational development at the start of the new legislative session.
