Who would be the BJP's candidate for Bhabanipur?
Precisely who posed this question, to whom it was directed, when and how it was asked, and—crucially—what response was offered in return: these elements constitute the very essence and substance of that dramatic moment. Yet, before attempting to unravel that mystery, it is worth taking a step back to examine the "big picture"—specifically, what the BJP's candidate list is likely to look like this time around.
The answer is crystal clear: it will be starkly different from that of the previous election. The sense of aimlessness, disarray, organizational chaos, and amateurishness that characterized the candidate selection process during the 2021 polls is conspicuously absent this time. What will emerge is a "pure" BJP list. Based on an assessment of winnability, the constituencies have been categorized into three distinct tiers: Category A, B, and C seats. For Category A seats—those deemed highly winnable—tickets will be allotted exclusively to "100% pure" BJP loyalists. Category C seats, conversely, represent constituencies where the prospects of victory are slim; nevertheless, the electoral battle will be fought there regardless. In these specific instances, the party leadership might—after careful deliberation—consider fielding leaders who have recently "drifted in" from other political parties.
In right-wing politics, there invariably exists an internal struggle wherein leaders vie to demonstrate their influence by securing tickets for their own trusted confidants and loyal followers. It would be unrealistic to claim that the BJP's prospective list for this election will be entirely immune to such dynamics. However, a significant factor to note is that Samik Bhattacharya has recently assumed the mantle of the party's state presidency. Compared to his stature as an organizational strategist, many within the party still tend to view him primarily as an "ideological theorist." Perhaps until just a couple of days ago, Shamik, too, would have felt amused by such an assessment of himself. The bottom line is that Shamik carries very little political baggage when it comes to securing party tickets for others. Similarly, Sukanta’s influence—and his network of loyalists—remains largely confined to his own Lok Sabha constituency and district. In comparison, Suvendu’s political weight is far more substantial. He traverses the length and breadth of Bengal, maintaining regular contact with district-level leaders. His greatest political assets lie in the western regions of Bengal and parts of the north—specifically the two Midnapur districts, Bankura, Purulia, and Jhargram. It has been reported that on Wednesday, Nitin Nabin—the BJP’s newly appointed National President—posed a question to Suvendu: whom did he have in mind for the Bhabanipur constituency? Shortly thereafter, in a separate interaction, Home Minister Amit Shah asked him virtually the same question. He sought Suvendu’s assessment of the current situation in Bhabanipur: could any predictions be made? Who would make for a strong candidate?