Kolkata, Sep 22 (V7N)-  Subhankar Sarkar has been appointed as the new president of the Congress party in West Bengal. The announcement was made on Saturday by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge. Sarkar, a close associate of Rahul Gandhi, takes over from Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who had served as the interim president of the state's Congress unit.

Sarkar, known for his long-standing association with the Indian opposition leader and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has previously held various roles in the Youth Congress and served as the AICC secretary in multiple states, including Odisha. On his appointment, Sarkar was relieved of his AICC duties in Delhi and West Bengal, marking a significant shift in leadership for the party in the state.

The appointment comes after Adhir Chowdhury’s term, which spanned over two periods: from 2014 to 2018 and then again from 2020 to 2024. Chowdhury, a former Member of Parliament from Baharampur, has been a vocal critic of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), even as the Congress party forms part of the INDIA Alliance, which includes both Congress and TMC at the national level.

Political analysts suggest that Sarkar’s appointment might indicate a shift in the Congress party’s approach in West Bengal, especially concerning its relationship with TMC. Adhir Chowdhury had often clashed with the TMC, particularly during the last Lok Sabha elections, which many believed hindered a potential alliance between the two parties.

With Subhankar Sarkar now at the helm, there is speculation that the Congress might adopt a more strategic stance in dealing with TMC in West Bengal, especially with the 2024 national elections approaching.

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