Keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the central leadership of BJP embarked on an organizational reshuffle in West Bengal. State General Secretary (Organization) Amitabha Chakraborty’s wings were trimmed yesterday. Satish Dhond, the leader of another State, jointly took charge with him. Besides, the central leadership informed that Kailash Vijayvargiya will soon be removed from the post of central observer. The newly appointed Dhond will take charge from Asansol for the time being.
Details about Amitabha’s stance
In November 2020, Amitabha, close to Sangha, replaced Subrata Chatterjee as the most important responsibility of the state party. Assembly elections were held in the state within six months. Despite raising hopes in the elections, the party failed to capture power. From then on, internal problems began to surface. State President Dilip Ghosh was removed. Sukanta Majumder is in that position. It was alleged that Amitabha took Sukanta along with his close friends to various positions in the party, most of whom had no experience of running the party. Protests started in the district with that. The central leadership did not take the matter well. According to a party leader, “There is no sign of abating in the protests in the state leadership. This kind of bickering is not good for the party when polls are approaching.” According to sources, people close to the Sangha have been sent to Dhond after realizing Amitabha’s differences with a large section of the party. Initially, his work will be to stop the factional conflict by holding discussions with all parts of the party.
Dhond’s role
Apart from giving Dhond the responsibility of West Bengal, the BJP leadership is planning some changes at the organizational level. According to sources, Kailash Vijayvargiya is going to face the wrath of the central leadership. Speculations about Kailash’s future have been rife ever since the West Bengal Assembly elections failed to deliver the desired results. In particular, multiple allegations of distribution of tickets before the polls, non-giving of tickets to eligible candidates, and support for tribalism were levelled against Kailash.
But the veteran leader publicly accused Kailash of corruption and character slippage. As a result, West Bengal, which once became Kailash’s second address, was virtually invisible to him after the assembly polls. Moreover, the party did not take kindly to the return of Mukul Roy, who is close to Kailash, to the Trinamool after the election and the fact that Kailash became inactive. A top BJP leader said yesterday that a central observer will be appointed in West Bengal very soon. Even though in West, BJP has become increasingly powerless since the assembly elections, the top leadership is optimistic about doing well in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. A top leader of the party claimed, “Even though the party faced some problems in West Bengal, it has managed to sort out a lot now. The central leadership is watching.” According to BJP sources, the reshuffle at the organizational level in West Bengal was hinted at by the central leadership yesterday by appointing Amitabha’s assistant.