The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the appointment of former Tripura Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP, Biplab Kumar Deb, as Co-In-Charge for the upcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections in 2026.
The ruling TMC in West Bengal described the decision as a sign of the BJP’s “organizational weakness” and labeled Deb a “failed and disgraced leader.” In a strongly worded statement shared on its official X handle, the party alleged that the BJP’s leadership vacuum has forced it to recycle leaders who have been rejected in their own states.
“The BJP’s decision to make Biplab Kumar Deb the Co-In-Charge for the Bengal Assembly Elections of 2026 is nothing but a declaration of organizational bankruptcy,” the TMC statement read.
The remarks came soon after the central leadership of the BJP formally entrusted Deb with responsibilities to boost the party’s campaign in West Bengal, a state where the saffron party has struggled to regain ground against the dominant TMC since its strong performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Biplab Kumar Deb, who served as Tripura’s Chief Minister from 2018 to 2022, remains a significant figure in the BJP’s national politics despite being replaced midway through his tenure. Known for his controversial remarks and political style, Deb has been given new responsibilities in West Bengal after being assigned earlier to electoral duties in Haryana.
According to political observers, the BJP’s strategy reflects a pattern of deploying leaders with prior administrative experience to key battleground states. However, critics argue that importing leaders from outside West Bengal could further distance the party from the state’s electorate.
The TMC has been quick to capitalize on this narrative, suggesting that the BJP’s reliance on leaders from other regions indicates a lack of strong local leadership in Bengal. The party has maintained that the people of West Bengal are unlikely to accept an outsider as a guiding force in the 2026 Assembly elections.
The appointment has also sparked discussions among political analysts, who believe the move signals the BJP’s attempt to reshape its Bengal strategy after consecutive electoral setbacks. While some argue that Deb’s organizational skills could help the BJP consolidate its cadre, others believe that his controversial tenure in Tripura may hinder his ability to connect with voters in Bengal.
As the political battle intensifies ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the BJP’s gamble with Biplab Deb’s appointment is likely to remain a major talking point in West Bengal’s political landscape. Whether the move will strengthen the BJP’s prospects or further fuel the TMC’s criticism will become clear in the months leading up to the elections.