The Congress on Saturday appointed Subhankar Sarkar as the new president of its West Bengal unit, replacing long-time leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Sarkar, who was previously serving as All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary overseeing Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, has been relieved of his current duties to assume his new role.
In a statement, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced Sarkar’s appointment as the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) chief with immediate effect, expressing gratitude for Chowdhury's contributions as the outgoing president.
Transition follows Chowdhury’s resignation
Chowdhury had stepped down from the state president role following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, prompting a search for his successor. The Congress leadership sought feedback from state leaders regarding balancing ties with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) at both the national and state levels before finalizing Sarkar’s appointment.
Challenges in Congress-TMC relations
Chowdhury’s tenure was marked by tensions between the Congress and TMC at the state level, which contrasted with the cooperative relationship seen between the two parties in central politics. The new appointment may signal efforts to navigate these complex dynamics as Congress strategizes its future in West Bengal.
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