Suvendu, Dilip in Bengal BJP clash over party exodus
A major policy clash has unfolded between two prominent leaders in the West Bengal BJP on how to tackle the threat of defection by its newly elected MLAs after their former national vice-president Mukul Roy, the sitting BJP MLA from Krishnanagar North, returned to the Trinamul Congress.
While Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has challenged chief minister Mamata Banerjee saying he would definitely seek to enforce the anti-defection law in the state legislature, in a warning to BJP MLAs to hold them back from leaving the party, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh, on the other hand, lamented “a habit for many to leave the party”, but said the party itself would drive out those “who only want to enjoy power”.
Replying to questions on Mr Roy’s alleged bid to poach at least 10 BJP MLAs and a Lok Sabha MP to the TMC, Mr Adhikari said on Saturday evening: “Instances of MLAs of the Congress and CPI(M) in ◗ SUVENDU ADHIKARI has challenged chief minister Mamata Banerjee saying he would definitely seek to enforce the anti-defection law in the state legislature, in a warning to BJP MLAs to hold them back from leaving the party
the TMC were there. Ms Banerjee now started it with Mr Roy. It is my responsibility as Leader of the Opposition to establish that Ms Banerjee and the West Bengal Assembly are not above the law.”
The Nandigram BJP MLA added: “Who will go where and with whom is not a big issue. But the CM must keep in mind that the anti-defection law was not earlier enforced in West Bengal because of the control of the Speaker. As Leader of the Opposition I can however definitely state that I know the steps. I will show how to ensure this law is implemented here. It will take a maximum of two or three months. One has to change the party abiding by the law. There is no other scope beyond this. I have already discussed it with Union law
minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in detail. The process will start soon.”
Known for his acrimony with Mr Adhikari, Mr Ghosh, Midnapore’s MP, however posted on Facebook on Sunday: “It has become a habit for many to leave the party. The Bharatiya Janata Party depends on those very people who raised the party by bleeding and sweating themselves. Sacrifice and austerity have to be made to stay in the Bharatiya Janata Party. Those who only want to enjoy power will not be able to continue in the BJP. It is us who will not keep them.”
Fishing in troubled waters, Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Tathagata Roy meanwhile took a dig at party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, one of the four senior leaders he had earlier blamed for the poll debacle, for his proximity to Mukul Roy at one time. Referring to him as a “stupid cat” in a photo with Mukul Roy, the former Meghalaya governor sarcastically suggested that the Trinamul Congress supremo should also rope him into her party.
“A faithful English translation of a tweet from a devout Bharatiya Janata Party supporter. I have added or subtracted nothing… Auntie (Buaji) Mamata, please take this stupid cat into the Trinamul. He may be heartbroken missing his friend! They used to remain closeted together for the whole day," Mr Roy tweeted.