In a significant political development in West Bengal, Santosh Pathak, the lone councillor of the Indian National Congress in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Pathak formally joined the BJP on Monday, accepting the party flag from West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.
The induction ceremony was attended by several prominent BJP leaders, including former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, BJP IT Cell National Convenor Amit Malviya, and former MP Locket Chatterjee, underscoring the importance of the move for the party.
Shri Santosh Pathak, Councillor from Ward No. 45 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party today, receiving the party flag from State President @SamikBJP.
This joining once again reaffirms that BJP is the principal force leading the fight against… pic.twitter.com/XdQTcA6HB6
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) March 23, 2026
Following his entry into the saffron camp, discussions have intensified within BJP circles about fielding Pathak from the key Chowringhee Assembly constituency. The seat is considered strategically important in Kolkata’s political landscape ahead of the Assembly elections.
Speaking after joining, Pathak made it clear that he is ready to contest the upcoming elections if the party nominates him.
The development is expected to influence political equations in Kolkata, particularly as parties gear up for a high-stakes electoral battle in West Bengal.0
