BJP President Nitin Nabin Confronts Internal Dissent in Kolkata Ahead of Elections
BJP president Nitin Nabin initiated crucial discussions with party leaders and workers in Kolkata on Tuesday, just before the final voter list publication. This meeting unfolded against a backdrop of escalating protests from disgruntled supporters at the party headquarters in Salt Lake, who voiced strong opposition to what they termed "unacceptable candidates" in the upcoming elections.
Protests Erupt Over Candidate Selections
The unrest reached a critical point, necessitating intervention from state leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who stepped in to pacify the agitated party workers. Protests erupted in the afternoon, with demands for candidate changes in multiple constituencies, including Balagarh and Baduria.
In Balagarh, where BJP has fielded Sumana Sarkar, party workers alleged that Sarkar, a recent defector from Trinamool, was responsible for tortures inflicted on veteran and grassroots workers. Similar demands were raised for constituencies like Basirhat and Minakhan, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction.
Discontent Spreads Across Districts
Discontent over BJP nominations intensified following the release of the second list of 111 candidates, sparking protests and unhappiness across various districts, including Alipurduar, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, and Kolkata itself. In constituencies such as Baishnabnagar in Malda and Mal in Jalpaiguri, protesters rejected nominees, labeling them as "outsiders".
Earlier, supporters from Beleghata, Jaynagar, Howrah, and Entally staged sit-ins and threatened to boycott the polls if candidates like Partha Choudhary or Priyanka Tibrewal were not replaced. Additionally, discontent surfaced among workers regarding the Hingalganj BJP candidate Rekha Patra, further complicating the party's electoral preparations.
Nabin's Strategic Focus on Booth Management
Amid these challenges, Nitin Nabin urged BJP workers and functionaries to engage with the public through "micro-level planning" for every booth. A Bengal BJP leader noted, "Nabin has come to Bengal with the preparation to mould the party's election campaign. He said that the party will leave no stone unturned this time." Nabin directed state leaders to intensify campaigns, particularly in constituencies where the party lagged during the 2021 assembly elections.
Assessing potential rifts within the rank and file, Nabin extensively discussed booth management and strategies to bolster electoral efforts. While he met with state functionaries on Tuesday, a special session with senior leaders is scheduled for Wednesday, along with meetings involving the election management team and morcha heads.
Upcoming Meetings and Notable Encounter
Nabin plans to hold meetings with workers from nearly 50 constituencies in Nadia and North 24 Parganas. On Tuesday, he engaged with workers from Howrah, Hooghly, Midnapore, and Kolkata—areas that have been vocal with dissent.
In a related development, Olympic medalist Leander Paes was spotted at a hotel in New Town on Tuesday night, meeting with senior BJP netas. BJP president Nitin Nabin is also staying at the same hotel. While Paes was observed conversing with BJP leaders in the lobby, it remains unclear whether he met with Nabin. Neither Paes nor the Bengal BJP have commented on this encounter. Paes, who joined Trinamool in Goa in November 2021, became the Bengal Tennis Association president in November last year.
