Dissidence has hit the BJP rank and file in West Bengal.
Karyakartas' unhappiness is crucial because in many assembly segments; the margin of victory and defeat will be much narrower this time.
Key leaders are playing it down. But disgruntlement is the order of the day across districts and regions.
Worse for the BJP; the Karyakartas feel let down even in North Bengal where the saffron outfit dominated the poll scenario in 2021 assembly elections and also in Lok Sabha polls of 2024 and 2019.
Party workers staged protests outside the BJP's state headquarters in Kolkata after the announcement of the second list of candidates, alleging that grassroots leaders and those who fought for the party over the years had been ignored.
Similar protests and anguish have been reported from Asansol-region in South Bengal and also Cooch Behar in north Bengal.
In Vaishnavnagar in Malda, a section of BJP workers staged protests against the nomination of Raju Karmakar. Protesters alleged that Karmakar is neither a resident of the constituency nor actively associated with the party.
Demonstrators resorted to burning tyres and raised slogans demanding a change in the candidate.
In Durgapur-Asansol belt; the ground work was reported very good and the genuine workers and supporters expected a saffron wave. But apparently damage has been done.
In East Durgapur, the Lotus party has fielded Chandrashekhar Banerjee. The grievance from Karyakartas is -- he is a turncoat who joined BJP only in 2023. The plea for ticket came from Amitabh Banerjee, associated with the party for long.
Apparently in a meeting with party leader Sunil Bansal; the karyakartas had made it clear that "due respect" should be given to numerous internal surveys. In Amitabh Banjerjee's case; things looked favourable in more than one survey but at the last moment allegedly at the instance of Suvendu Adhikari; Chandrashekhar was accommodated.
A basic complaint also is that he actually belongs to western part of Durgapur and hence local karyakartas may not work at the booth level to ensure his victory.
A similar situation unfolded in the Mal Assembly constituency in Jalpaiguri district in north Bengal.
Shukra Munda was made the BJP nominee. A group of agitated workers allegedly broke open the gate of the party office at Gurujong Jhoro More, tore posters, and damaged property.
In Asansol South, sitting legislator Agnimitra Paul has been retained and the party workers are more than happy about it.
But in Asansol North, the party leadership has reposed faith in Krishnendu Mukherjee and thereby claims of other aspirants such as Upasana Upadhyay and Shankar Choudhury were ignored.
In 2021, Krishnendu Mukherjee had polled 79,821 votes and lost to Trinamool's Moloy Ghatak who polled 100,931. The margin was substantial and it will be challenging to bridge the gap.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya says: "We understand the sentiment of our workers ... but enthusiasm is more in favour of BJP this time because there is a wave in favour. The decision of the central leadership is final, and all of us have to abide by it."
In Kulti, reportedly the internal survey had pushed the case of Subrata Mishra. However, the party has reposed faith in sitting MLA Ajay Kumar Poddar. Kulti falls under Asansol Lok Sabha seat - a constituency won by BJP nominee Babul Supriyo in 2014 and 2019.
But "wrong selection" of candidate may prove costly this time, say party workers; adding -- "This in a constituency, where even a few days back there was a pro-BJP wave".
This time Poddar is pitted against TMC's Abhijit Ghatak and the segment could have a photo finish.
Similarly, in Jamuria; the ticket aspirant Santosh Singh was overlooked and the ticket has been given to Bijan Mukherjee.
"In some of these constituencies; we have either spoiled our show or have deliberately made them appear tough contest. Ticket distribution mismanagement by Mukul Roy spoiled BJP game in 2021.
Is it another ex-TMC leader doing the same for his earlier boss Mamata ?," questions Ashapurna Chowdhury, a local BJP worker in Bardhaman Uttar (SC).
Radha Kanta Roy was BJP nominee in 2021 and the seat was won by TMC's Nishit Kumar Mallik.
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Internal wrangling within the BJP rank and file also surfaced after the first list was announced, with protests reported in Chhatna in Bankura and Alipurduar.
In some places; local booth workers say there could be a "got up match" between Suvendu Adhikari and Mamata Banerjee.
"I have never come across a situation wherein Mamata Banerjee makes any serious allegation against Suvendu. Have you ?," asks Mithu Banik in Coochbehar.
In some places, workers demonstrated outside party offices, even covering their heads with black cloth as a mark of protest. Signs of factionalism have also been visible in Karandighi.
"Ticket distribution is over certainly.... now comes the crucial part ... managing the Karyakartas. If local leaders or genuine RSS and BJP cadres remain inactive on the polling day because of resentment over ticket distribution, the consequences will be disastrous both for BJP and also for the state of West Bengal," laments Nitai Mondal in Asansol.
These remarks are endorsed by analyst Ramakanto Shanyal, who says "Between BJP and TMC when the fight is serious and Left and Congress almost margianlised; workers' unhappiness is a serious matter. I am saying this because; victory margins will be much narrower this time".
In a known BJP bastion, the Darjeeling hills also several local BJP leaders have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the party nominees for two seats. Manoj Dewan, a former president of the BJP’s hill district unit, said their concerns were formally communicated to the central and state leadership, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Of course ticket distribution is a tough political exercise. This problem does come up in many states and within many parties. Understandably, the Congress paid a huge price of the same in Haryana polls in 2024.
The BJP itself suffered unexpected setback when Late Mukul Roy played a Didi mole in 2021 assembly polls in West Bengal. As of now the only consolation for the BJP leadership is that in Trinamool Congress; wrangling is almost reaching feverish pitch once tickets have been allotted.
ends
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