BJP suspends Neta in DH, faces rebellion in Bagdah | News from Kolkata

KOLKATA: The BJP has suspended Abhijit Das – its Lok Sabha candidate from Diamond Harbour who contested against Abhishek Banerjee – for allegedly leading demonstrations against a central BJP probe team probing the post-poll violence in the state. While Das claimed he had not received any official communication, the BJP’s disciplinary committee has temporarily suspended him, citing his absence from a crucial meeting, obstruction of victims of the post-poll violence and inciting party workers to confront the central leadership.

A four-member BJP delegation had travelled to Altaberia in Diamond Harbour on Sunday to investigate reports of post-poll violence, but was confronted with protests by local BJP workers allegedly provoked by Das.

“I am not aware of any temporary suspension or notice of submission. However, I know that the state leadership cannot suspend a central council member or issue a notice of submission. My question is, if the party has indeed taken such a decision, then how did the official letter come out in the open? As I prepare to go to court to expose how Abhishek Banerjee won in Diamond Harbour by over 700,000 votes, these actions seem like an attempt to humiliate me,” Das said.

“I come to know about the party’s decision through the media. If someone leaks confidential documents like this, he is acting on Abhishek’s behest. My suspension and accusation could also be a conspiracy hatched by him. Perhaps the money from coal and cattle smuggling will find its way to us,” he added.

In another development, the BJP is grappling with a rebellion of sorts in Baghdad, which is pointing towards the candidature of Binay Biswas – described by some local activists as an “outsider” – for the by-election. The rebels have chosen Satyajit Mazumdar, a local RSS member and teacher, as an independent candidate. Mazumdar has already started his campaign.

Biswas’ candidature caused discontent at the local level and led to a meeting at Helencha High School where rebel workers threatened to field an independent candidate if Biswas was not replaced. After the deadline, Mazumdar was selected. A Mandal leader of the BJP, Samir Biswas, resigned over this reason, but his resignation was not accepted. District president Devdas Mondal has expressed confidence to resolve the matter.

Meanwhile, former Baghdah MP Biswajit Das alleged that “financial transactions” related to the BJP’s candidate selection process had led to factional disputes within the party.

Trinamool has fielded Madhuparna, daughter of Mamata Bala Thakur’s MP, in Baghdah. The seat fell vacant after BJP MP Biswajit defected to Trinamool and contested the elections from Bongaon LS.