The Bengal BJP seems to be divided on the induction of alleged “corrupt” leaders from other parties particularly the Trinamool Congress. A section of the BJP leadership has objected to the induction of leaders like Sovan Chatterjee and further talks of taking in some other MPs and MLAs who are facing charges of corruption against them.
“I have no doubt about the organisational capabilities of Sovan Chatterjee. He is a big leader in Bengal politics but it is also true that he is facing charges against his name Narada case. It will be difficult for the BJP to go to the people with a clean face and a party with a difference,” a State party leader said adding he would raise the issue at the national level.
Another leader from North 24 Parganas who have been instrumental in expanding the base of the party in the region said, “the party will not only face difficulty in explaining its stance but also we will face problem in carrying out our anti-corruption movement in various places.”
How the BJP would carry out its anti-cut money campaign against the local TMC leadership he wondered.After vehement protest the BJP leaders of Birbhum had succeeded in reversing the induction of turncoat TMC MLA Manirul Islam who is also a local strongman facing a number of charges against him.
On Chatterjee who was once blue-eyed boy of Chief Minister Mamat Banerjee a leader said “what is the surety that he will not quit the BJP if situation changes tomorrow.” Making massive inroads in Bengal politics the BJP won 18 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the last Lok Sabha polls. Since then hordes of local leaders are joining the saffron outfit.
Meanwhile, in a separate development tension ran high in Kulri town near Asansol where a TMC councilor murdered late on Saturday night. The TMC has accused the BJP for the violence while the latter party has rejected their claims.