The BJP is planning measures to tackle dissenting voices in the Bengal unit. According to sources, the party leadership could take strong actions against some dissenting leaders like former Minister Rajib Banerjee, Salt Lake Mayor Sabyasachi Dutta and saffron MP from Bishnupur, Soumitra Khan who have been attacking the leadership ever since the BJP lost to the Trinamool Congress in the recently conducted Assembly elections.
Both Banerjee and Dutta were former TMC leaders. While Dutta a close confidant of Mukul Roy joined the BJP little more than an year before the Bengal elections Banerjee switched sides just before the polls. Khan, also a former TMC MP joined the BJP before the 2019 general elections and won the Bishnupur seat on a saffron ticket.
“The party has its own disciplinary committee in place and will take suitable actions as and when required,” Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said when asked to comment on the dissenting leaders. When reminded that these former TMC men had been constantly attacking the BJP leadership producing a demoralizing effect on the party rank and file, Ghosh said “we did not invite these leaders to join the BJP … they came on their own … now if they feel that they do not want to stay in our party they may quit … we have no device to hold them back.”
On whether the party would take actions against them he said “the leadership is considering measures and that will be implemented.” Ghosh is known to have spoken to party national president JP Nadda about the recent trends in the State.
Both Banerjee and Dutta had been attacking the BJP leadership including State Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari for criticizing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Instead of mounting unfair attack on her, try to ensure that people are not affected further by the rise in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG,” Banerjee said.
No one had any right to criticize the Chief Minister who came to power by a popular mandate he said. “The Opposition Leader should allow her to work for the people,” Banerjee said adding “there is no point venting the party’s frustration on the Chief Minister who has proved her mettle by winning the elections and establishing herself as the tallest mass leader of the State.”
Dutta went a step ahead, saying the BJP should try to cooperate with the Government — to win people’s trust — instead of attacking it. “Mamata Banerjee is a leader of national stature and hence … she has been performing well … which is the reason she was elected by the people in large numbers … the Opposition party must accept this mandate and support her,” Dutta said.
Khan has however given his reactions only after he was not considered for a ministerial berth in the Centre. A member of the scheduled caste he has been winning the Bishnupur seat since 2014. Though he has not spoken a word against the national leadership he has vented his anger against Adhikari holding him responsible for him being deprived of a ministerial berth in the Centre.
When asked as to whether the BJP would take any action against the Bishnupur MP, Ghosh said “he is a member of parliament and hence has to be dealt with by the central leadership” adding “there are forums in the party to express one’s views but no one has right to go public on issues … The central leadership is watching things and will take a decision.”