‘BJP is not a Dharamshala’, increasing dissatisfaction among TMC leaders after the election defeat, will BJP give place?

Kolkata: If anything is being discussed the most in the politics of West Bengal at the moment, it is the growing restlessness within the Trinamool Congress and the new political challenge facing the BJP. While BJP has reached the peak of power after registering a spectacular victory in the assembly elections, now a big question has arisen in front of it whether the leaders leaving Trinamool should be given a place in the party or not. This decision is not considered easy for BJP, because it can directly affect the morale of the party’s organization and workers.

After the election results, many leaders of Trinamool Congress are said to be in touch with BJP. There are constant discussions taking place in the political circles that many big faces may soon change sides. However, the Bengal unit of BJP seems to be very cautious on this issue at the moment. State BJP President Shamik Bhattacharya has made it clear that the party is not a “Dharamshala” where everyone can get easy entry. He said that the question of including those people who have been accused of violence and torture against BJP workers in the party does not arise. The BJP leadership believes that the public has given the message of change by voting against Trinamool, hence now it would be injustice to the workers to include the same leaders in the party.

Fear of workers’ displeasure

Many old BJP workers and local leaders are also not comfortable with the entry of turncoats. He says that the leaders who fought politically against BJP workers for years, now including them in the party with respect, can demoralize the grassroots workers. This is both an emotional and strategic challenge for the BJP. If the party includes Trinamool leaders on a large scale, internal discontent may increase. On the other hand, if these leaders are kept out, then BJP may also lose the opportunity to strengthen its hold in some areas.

Concern increased regarding Panchayat elections

In view of the Panchayat and municipal elections to be held next year, strategic discussions have intensified within the BJP. It is believed that many leaders coming from Trinamool have a strong support base and organizational network in rural areas, which BJP can benefit from. The politics of Bengal is not limited to the Assembly only. Only a strong hold at the Panchayat level determines political dominance for a long time. In such a situation, BJP may not want to take the risk of closing the doors completely.

Growing dissatisfaction in Trinamool Congress

On the other hand, after the election defeat, dissatisfaction within the Trinamool Congress has started coming to the fore. The distance of many senior leaders and MLAs from party meetings has further intensified the speculations. There is also a strong discussion in the political circles of Delhi and Kolkata that some Rajya Sabha MPs of Trinamool may also choose a new political path soon. Mamata Banerjee’s defeat from her traditional seat Bhawanipur has also raised many questions within the party.

It is also discussed in political circles that many Trinamool leaders are afraid of action by central agencies. After losing the elections, he fears being embroiled in investigation and legal matters, due to which he is trying to get closer to the BJP. However, Mamata Banerjee is constantly trying to manage the party and maintain the morale of the workers. She had recently said that she will strengthen the party again and if necessary, will take to the streets herself and build the organization.