Kolkata: The Congress on Saturday said that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi is expected to launch his election campaign in West Bengal either by the end of November or early December.
Party sources, quoted by PTI, indicated that Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is likely to be entrusted with a key role in the run-up to the state Assembly elections scheduled for next year.
The results of the Bihar Assembly elections are due on November 14, after which Rahul Gandhi is expected to shift his focus to West Bengal.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer for West Bengal, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, confirmed Rahul Gandhi’s likely visit, saying, “We are a national party, and our Central leadership will come to Bengal for campaigning. Rahul Gandhi has deep connections with Bengal and its people. The leadership will visit the state after the Bihar elections conclude.”
Mir said the party has been preparing for the state polls over the past six months. “We are strengthening our organisation down to the booth level. Rahul Gandhi will then come and convey his message to the people through our workers, addressing critical issues concerning West Bengal. When the elections are held six months later, the people will decide,” he added.
Asked about the timing of Gandhi’s visit, Mir said, “We are trying to ensure Rahul Gandhi visits West Bengal before the New Year, but it depends on the Pradesh Congress Committee. Strengthening district, block, and booth committees is the priority so that the Central leadership’s message reaches every corner of the state. This process should be completed by mid-November, around the time the Bihar elections end. After that, Rahul Gandhi will focus on West Bengal.”
Speculation is rife about Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s role in the 2026 Assembly elections. Chowdhury, currently serving as a Congress election observer in Bihar, is expected to continue playing an important role in Bengal politics.
Commenting on this, Mir said, “Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is a senior leader who has handled many responsibilities. While Subhankar Sarkar was appointed as the State Congress President due to his organisational work, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury continues to hold an important role within the party.”
