It has been only three months since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government came to power in West Bengal. The BJP won a landslide victory in the assembly elections, defeating the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Now, the BJP is facing allegations of extortion and corruption against some of its own leaders and workers. A crisis has emerged within the BJP.
Some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and workers are engaging in extortion. Many former Trinamool Congress Party workers have also informally joined the BJP and are continuing their old habits. State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya has clearly warned that anyone found involved in this practice, whether MLA or MP, will not be spared.
BJP sent notices to more than 300 people
The BJP has so far suspended around 25 workers and issued show-cause notices to over 300. The allegations have come from several districts, including Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, West Bardhaman, and Birbhum.
TMC’s ‘recovery gang’ now in BJP?
In some places, people have also complained to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s Janata Darbar. Some incidents have also been reported. A builder was attacked in South Dum Dum. In Jamuria, a BJP leader was arrested for extorting money from sand trucks. In Katwa, an employee alleged that he was asked for ₹5 lakh. In Baduria, videos of local leaders holding bundles of cash went viral on social media.
How will Shubhendu Adhikari deal with the ‘cut money’ culture?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has released four toll-free helpline numbers against cut money, syndicates, illegal tolls, and alcohol. People can complain on these numbers. Samik Bhattacharya’s team will also monitor these complaints at the party level. The local campaign chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has stated that corruption has been prevalent since the Left Front government and has increased further under the TMC. The government is new, so it will take some time, but steps are being taken.
How can BJP accept those who burnt houses?
Another issue concerns the incorporation of TMC leaders and workers into the party. Some prominent leaders have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, and several rebel Trinamool Congress MPs are also close to them. This has caused some resentment within the party. BJP workers say that those who previously caused their homes to burn or injured them cannot be easily accepted.
What did Samik Bhattacharya say?
Samik Bhattacharya has also warned party workers that the egg-throwing trend has begun. This trend could reverse. The party is clearly stating that it does not want to adopt a TMC-like culture. Now, it remains to be seen how effective the warnings and action will be.