Bharatiya Janata Party leader and West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Saturday, 24 October, expressed firm confidence that the BJP would prevail in the state's upcoming local body elections, asserting that the Opposition was fractured and had lost public backing. Speaking to reporters in Newtown, Ghosh covered a wide range of political flashpoints — from candidate selection within the BJP to Rahul Gandhi's foreign visits, protests in Kolkata, and drug abuse in Punjab.

BJP's Election Groundwork

Ghosh said the party had already begun internal preparations well ahead of the election schedule. 'The BJP organisation works throughout the year and begins preparing for the elections well in advance,' he said, adding that national leaders, state leaders, and district in-charges in Kolkata were collectively working to draw up candidate lists. He indicated that names would be formally announced once election dates are declared.

Ghosh Dismisses Kunal Ghosh's Remarks

The BJP leader also took direct aim at Kunal Ghosh, a Member of the Legislative Assembly aligned with the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Dilip Ghosh questioned the basis on which the TMC leader was making public statements and the authority he held to do so. 'On what basis is Kunal Ghosh making these claims, and on behalf of which party? Is he the chief spokesperson of any party? He keeps making statements at will. There is no substance or logic in his statements,' he said.

This came a day after Kunal Ghosh alleged, in relation to an incident at Chorebagan, that BJP-affiliated individuals held top positions in the local Puja Committee and used their influence to shield themselves while targeting TMC workers. 'Harassment started from the morning, and they are arresting people on baseless, useless grounds,' Kunal Ghosh had said on Friday.

On Rahul Gandhi and the Congress

Turning to national politics, Dilip Ghosh questioned why public discourse around Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tended to centre on his foreign travel rather than his political record or the party's electoral performance. 'Whenever Rahul Gandhi is discussed, the discussion revolves around why he went abroad, when he went, where he went, and when he will return. Why is there no discussion about his role in politics, his contributions, and his party's electoral results,' he said.

CJP Protests and Law and Order

Reacting to a rally in Kolkata organised under the banner of the CJP, Ghosh acknowledged that opposition groups had the right to protest but stressed that demonstrations must remain within the legal framework. 'No one has such freedom. There is a legal system in the country and India is a democracy. Everyone has the right to protest for their rights and demands, but this must be done within the framework of the system,' he said. He further claimed that the Opposition in Kolkata was too divided to mount any effective challenge, and that such protests would not find popular support.

Drug Abuse in Punjab

On the question of drug abuse in Punjab, Ghosh cast doubt on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s capacity to address the issue, alleging that voters may have backed the party out of disillusionment with the Congress rather than genuine confidence in AAP's governance. 'No one expected the Aam Aadmi Party to eradicate drug abuse. Perhaps people voted for them because they were fed up with the Congress or other parties. How can people who are addicted themselves create a drug-free society,' he alleged — a claim that was not independently verified.

With local body election dates yet to be announced, the BJP's posturing in West Bengal signals an early and aggressive push against both the TMC and a fragmented Opposition. Whether the ground reality in the state's urban local bodies matches Ghosh's confident projection will become clearer once the electoral calendar is set.