BJP’s internal discord in Katwa has once again come to the forefront, as angry party workers and supporters locked the district organizational office in protest. Their frustration stemmed from allegations of corruption and concerns over the mandal president election process. The protestors accused the district president of financial misconduct, demanding accountability. However, by the end of the day, supporters of the general secretary reopened the office, defusing the situation temporarily.
Frustration Over Election Sparks Outrage
Several BJP workers voiced their concerns, accusing Katwa district president Gopal Chattopadhyay of embezzling nearly ₹30 lakh during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They also alleged that he violated party norms while selecting the mandal president, raising serious questions about transparency. In response, nearly 96 disgruntled party members gathered outside the district organizational office, demanding corrective action. Their frustration boiled over into a protest, culminating in locking the office as a symbolic act of defiance.
Infighting and Leadership Tensions
The controversy didn’t stop there. Further allegations were made against district general secretary Seema Bhattacharya, with workers claiming that she, too, was involved in the financial misconduct alongside the district president. However, Bhattacharya’s supporters swiftly countered the protest, reopening the office and formally welcoming the new mandal president with a celebration, even distributing sweets. Defending herself, Bhattacharya dismissed the allegations, stating that a small, inactive faction was trying to damage the party’s reputation. She further claimed that those protesting were no longer active members, as their party memberships had been revoked due to inactivity since the Lok Sabha elections.
TMC Weighs In
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) wasted no time in responding to the situation, seizing the opportunity to criticize the BJP’s internal chaos. TMC leaders accused the party of manipulating membership numbers to mislead their central leadership. Commenting on the infighting, they pointed out that even BJP’s own members were now openly admitting that the mandal president election was conducted unfairly.
This latest episode of BJP infighting in Katwa raises serious concerns about the party’s internal structure and growing dissatisfaction among its workers, leaving many wondering what lies ahead for the party in the region.
