On September 21, 2024, the Congress party appointed Subhankar Sarkar as the new president of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, replacing longtime leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The party recognized Chowdhury’s contributions, particularly his leadership during the 17th Lok Sabha. Despite speculation about his replacement, Chowdhury was actively involved in protests against a serious crime in Kolkata before his change in position. A seven-term MP, he recently lost the Lok Sabha elections in Baharampur to Trinamool’s Yusuf Pathan. Additionally, M.K. Bharadwaj and Bhanu Mahajan were named acting working presidents for Jammu and Kashmir, where Assembly elections are set for September and October.
The Congress party has made a significant change in its leadership in West Bengal. On September 21, 2024, Subhankar Sarkar was appointed as the new president of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC), taking over from veteran leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
In an official statement, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal expressed gratitude for Chowdhury’s contributions during his tenure. Mr. Chowdhury, who previously led the party in the 17th Lok Sabha, has been known for his strong opposition to the Mamata Banerjee-led government, despite the Trinamool Congress being part of the INDIA alliance ahead of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Chowdhury’s replacement had been anticipated, as he was actively involved in leading protests related to a tragic incident involving a young doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata. After serving seven terms as a Member of Parliament, he recently lost the election in Baharampur to cricketer-turned-politician Yusuf Pathan from the Trinamool Congress.
In addition to this leadership change, the Congress party also named M.K. Bharadwaj and Bhanu Mahajan as acting working presidents for Jammu and Kashmir, where important Assembly elections are upcoming in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1.
This announcement marks a pivotal moment as the Congress party gears up for the challenges of the upcoming elections.
Published – September 22, 2024 12:09 am IST
Tags: Congress, West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Subhankar Sarkar, Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Mamata Banerjee, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections
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Who is Subhankar Sarkar?
Subhankar Sarkar is the new chief of the Bengal Congress, taking over from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. -
Why did Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury step down?
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stepped down to allow new leadership and fresh ideas within the Bengal Congress. -
What changes can we expect with Subhankar Sarkar as chief?
With Subhankar Sarkar in charge, we may see new strategies and a focus on engaging more with local issues and the community. -
Has Subhankar Sarkar held any important positions before?
Yes, Subhankar Sarkar has been involved in political work and has held various roles within the Congress party prior to becoming the chief. - What are the main challenges facing the Bengal Congress now?
The main challenges include winning public support, addressing local concerns, and competing against other political parties in West Bengal.
