BJP’s monk strategy in West Bengal elections: Meet the party's spiritual faces

Utpal Maharaj, who was born in Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district, said he joined the organisation in 2000

• BJP nominates monks and priests in West Bengal polls
• Move seeks to tap religious sway in rural, semi-urban areas
• Plan counters Trinamool’s grassroots reach in key seats

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For the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, the BJP has adopted a distinctive electoral strategy in the state, fielding monks, seers and other religious figures as candidates in select constituencies.

The move reflects a calibrated attempt to fuse spiritual authority with political messaging, especially in regions where religious networks hold significant social influence.

Here is a look at religious figures who have been fielded:

Utpal Maharaj from Kaliaganj

Prior to his nomination, Utpal Maharaj (42) headed the Bharat Sevashram in Kaliaganj. In an internal letter issued last week, the outfit announced his expulsion, accusing him of walking “into the trap of politics”.

Utpal, however, told The Indian Express that he had informed the Sangha authorities about his decision to contest the elections. When they did not agree, he said, he submitted his resignation on March 17 — a day after his candidature was announced — and claimed that it had been accepted.

Swami Mangalananda Puri from Uluberia South

Swami Mangalananda Puri will take on Pulok Roy of the Trinamool Congress. Puri faces an uphill battle, with the BJP needing to overturn a margin of around 27,000 votes from the previous election.

Shri Shruti Shekhar Goswami from Nabadwip

He is a priest of the Nabadwip Sri Sri Radha Sudarshan Lal Jiu Temple, from the Nabadwip Assembly constituency. He faces a stiff challenge from five-time TMC MLA Pundarikakhsa Saha. The BJP is banking on Goswami’s religious influence in a constituency where faith-based affiliations hold sway.

Sunil Maharaj from Behala Purba

The BJP has nominated Sunil Maharaj of Siva Song Seva Sangha, aiming to bridge a vote gap of around 40,000. He will contest against Trinamool’s Subhasish Chakraborty, who replaced Ratna Chatterjee as the party’s candidate.

Nikhil Banerjee from Hansan

The BJP has fielded Nikhil Banerjee, a priest at the historic Tarapith Temple, against TMC’s Kajol Sheikh. The party had trailed by over 50,000 votes in the constituency in the last election, making it a particularly challenging contest.

Countering Trinamool’s grassroots grip

The BJP’s strategy appears aimed at countering the entrenched grassroots network of the All India Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee.

By fielding monks and seers, the BJP is seeking to build alternative nodes of influence, particularly in rural and semi-urban belts where religious figures often serve as community anchors. The move allows the party to tap into existing social and spiritual networks to expand its reach beyond conventional political structures.