Suvendu reaches out to Dilip, meets MLAs at assembly
Times of India | 19 March 2025
Kolkata: A day after Bengal leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari held a meeting at state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar's New Delhi residence, he reached out to the party's former national vice president, Dilip Ghosh, on Tuesday and hosted a meeting of BJP lawmakers in his assembly chamber.
The "bonhomie" in the two camps prompted BJP MLAs to request Ghosh and Adhikari to stick together in the days to come.
Ghosh, who reached the assembly in the afternoon, went straight to Adhikari's chamber. Unlike his visit a year back — when Ghosh chose to sit in the reporters' room and avoided the LoP's chamber — he was greeted by BJP lawmakers who welcomed him with flowers.
"Adhikari started reaching out to Ghosh after that episode.. Last Aug, he observed Ghosh's birthday in his chamber at the assembly," said a Bengal BJP functionary.
While Adhikari escorted Ghosh to his chamber, BJP MLAs sat around them. Ghosh discussed strategies for the next few months leading to preparation for the poll campaign. It was at this time when a BJP neta asked both to stick together in the coming months to ensure a "victory" for BJP in Bengal. Ghosh said he would conduct joint street corners with Adhikari. He would also hold meetings with Sukanta Majumdar, Ghosh added.
"Most MLAs have completed their first term as lawmakers. They will be facing their constituencies for the second time now and we need to strategise," Ghosh said. The party's former Bengal chief advised MLAs to step up mass contact programmes and stressed chitchats over tea. He also asked them to meet people at neighbourhood markets informally.
"I will be travelling across the districts. We will be working out plans together for the meetings in the next few months," Ghosh said.
Asked about the election of the new BJP Bengal president, Ghosh said: "I have finished my innings. I was state president for two consecutive terms. The party should think about a new leadership. I believe the party will choose a leader who can lead everyone to victory."