Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s appointment as the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday came as a shot in the arm of the beleaguered Bengal unit of the party that has seen a steady decline in its support base in recent years.

The Behrampore MP’s elevation to the key post brought cheers to the Bengal Congress even as some state leaders wondered whether it would result in any tangible gains for the state unit. The Congress won only two Lok Sabha seats in Bengal.

“We are all happy for Captain, as this is a supreme recognition of his struggle,” said the Congress’s Behrampore MLA Manoj Chakraborty, one of Chowdhury’s most trusted lieutenants.

Chowdhury’s elevation marked not only a zenith of his remarkable political career but also came as an honour for the state unit which didn’t have prominent presence at the national level since Pranab Mukherjee’s departure from active politics.

Chowdhury, who cut his teeth in politics in the 1990’s opposing the then mighty CPM in Murshidabad, has been the most consistent critic of Mamata Banerjee since her days as the Youth Congress chief. The relationship between the two has only worsened over time. “His staunch anti-Mamata position and his ability to win despite her all-out efforts have brought him this honour,” said a state Congress functionary.

He, however, was quick to add the irony in his elevation. He said the political dynamics of the country and the state in the aftermath of the general election might necessitate greater proximity between his party and Mamata.

“Adhir works wonderfully well with the Left. He is respected by the BJP as well. He is known for being a close friend of Yogi Adityanath and has often been conspicuously accorded respect by Narendra Modi himself,” said a state Congress leader known for his opposition to Chowdhury.

“But should the political situation, especially in Bengal, require proximity between his party and Mamata, he will be in a very awkward spot,” he added.

The 63-year-old was apparently rewarded for his fifth consecutive victory against all odds that became a talking point in Delhi’s corridors of power. But till Chowdhury’s removal from the helm of the state unit last year, he had allegedly been instrumental in the party’s rapid decline as his controversial methods of leadership earned him many enemies and opened the floodgates of defection to Trinamul Congress.

“Now that his involvement in Delhi will increase exponentially, he will be able to devote less time to the party in the state. Other than the obvious badge of honour, will it really result in any tangible gains for the party in Bengal?” asked a state unit functionary.

However, others hoped his position as the de facto leader of the Opposition and a member of the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making body of his party, would make a difference. “Besides, he is liked by the first family,” said another state leader.

In his initial reaction, Chowdhury underscored his identity as a foot soldier of the party. “The best place for a foot soldier in the battlefield is the frontlines. My party has honoured me with immense faith. I would like to be able to do justice to that faith,” said Chowdhury.

It remains to be seen if the “Robin Hood-esque” fighter would be able to emerge from his confines of Murshidabad and Bengal to step into the shoes of a national leader.

“He has never backed down from a challenge, never feared having to punch above his weight,” said Chakraborty.