The period of discord continues in the West Bengal BJP. In such a situation, there are reports that Home Minister Amit Shah himself has taken over the responsibility of resolving party differences in Bengal. In fact, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is going on a tour of West Bengal on May 4. With less than a week to go for his Bengal tour, 15 office-bearers of the Barasat organizational committee in Kolkata’s adjoining North 24 Parganas district on Sunday resigned in one go.
Discontent among party leaders came to the fore after the BJP high command issued an order directing the state unit to end the internal dispute within the party and build a united image ahead of Shah’s visit starting May 4.
After the defeat in the bypolls, the saffron camp has been facing differences within the party. The party had failed to retain the Asansol Lok Sabha seat in the by-elections. Three MLAs, including the state secretary, had resigned from the state posts. Apart from this, 14 district level office-bearers in Nadia had submitted their resignations within 48 hours of the results of the by-elections.
It is reported that all the dissidents in North 24 Parganas district have accused the district president of bias. He also accused the party of ignoring old and loyal workers and bringing up “incompetent” faces. In a mass resignation, disgruntled BJP workers accused Tapas Mitra of indulging in anti-party activities.
Shyamal Roy, an office-bearer who resigned, said, “He not only gave priority to those close to him. Besides, he is also involved with Trinamool Congress leaders and helps our rivals get electoral advantage in civic polls. ”