In a significant political development, five BJP candidates originally from Rajasthan but now based in West Bengal have secured victories in the state Assembly Elections 2026. These successful leaders, including Vijay Ojha, Bharat Kumar Jhanwar, Ajay Kumar Poddar, Rajesh Kumar, and Ashok Kirtania, have demonstrated the increasing influence of migrant Rajasthani communities in the political landscape. Vijay Ojha, hailing from Bikaner, emerged victorious from Jorasanko with a margin of 5,797 votes, having been a Kolkata resident and a municipal councillor for over 15 years.
Other Rajasthan-origin winners in West Bengal include Bharat Kumar Jhanwar, who won from Beldanga with a lead of 13,208 votes; Ajay Kumar Poddar, securing the Kulti seat with a margin of 26,498 votes; Rajesh Kumar, victorious in Jagatdal by 20,909 votes; and Ashok Kirtania, the most successful among them, clinching Bongaon North by 40,670 votes. Despite their roots in Rajasthan, these leaders have established their political careers in West Bengal while maintaining strong cultural and social ties with their home state.
The BJP’s strategy of nominating candidates from migrant communities has proven successful, with these leaders utilizing their community connections, local engagement, and understanding of grassroots issues to garner support. Out of the nine Rajasthan-rooted candidates fielded by the BJP, five emerged victorious, showcasing the party’s effective grassroots approach and sustained groundwork in their respective constituencies. In key areas like Bhabanipur, the BJP deployed a specialized team of leaders from Rajasthan for campaign management, focusing on targeted outreach, especially towards young and female voters through door-to-door initiatives and welfare programs.
Led by veteran figure Rajendra Rathore, the team’s micro-level engagement and strategic efforts were instrumental in these victories. Suvendu Adhikari, a senior BJP leader, commended the organizational skills and on-ground coordination of the Rajasthan-based leaders post their triumphs. The success of these Rajasthan-origin candidates underscores the changing dynamics of regional politics, where migrant communities are increasingly influencing electoral results beyond their native states.
