West Bengal BJP MLAs quit official WhatsApp group to protest organisational churn

The BJP BJP, however, doesn’t see the development as being projected outside the party, as a fresh strain

Mohammed Safi Shamsi, DHNS, Kolkata, DEC 27 2021: A section of state legislative assembly members representing the BJP in West Bengal have registered their resentment against state unit’s organisational appointments within the party by quitting the official WhatsApp group meant for party MLAs.

Besides five MLAs representing voters mostly from Matua community, Bishnu Prasad Sharma, BJP’s one of the two MLAs representing Gorkha community in the hills of West Bengal, also left the official WhatsApp group last Saturday, Deccan Herald has learnt.

“I don’t know why they (MLAs representing the Matua community) left the group. I have left the group, not the party. If you aren’t listened to, what’s the point of being in the group,” Sharma told DH. Sharma said that he has written a letter to the state president and will not disclose the letter as he is awaiting a response.

“Bengal main political khaata kholne waale gorkha hain. (It’s Gorkhas who brought in first seats in Bengal for the BJP). But the state list has no representation of the Gorkhas".

When contacted about Sharma leaving the group, Raju Bista, party MP from Darjeeling didn’t comment. The BJP, however, doesn’t see the development as being projected outside the party, as a fresh strain.

Party spokesperson Jayprakash Majumdar told DH that leaving a WhatsApp group is an internal way of showing resentment, and it’s not about leaving the party.

"BJP is a huge party, and there is an internal mechanism to address such issues. When there is a reshuffle there may be waves. There is an internal process of talking and understanding and resolving the issue,” said Majumdar.

“While a new committee looks into capabilities and requirements for strengthening the organisation, we also understand the sensitivity of their (MLAs) belonging to a particular group. Our president has constituted (committees) and concerns will be addressed,” he added.

5 BJP MLAs Quit Official WhatsApp Group After Failing to Feature in Party's Newly Formed Committee

Sujit Nath, News18.Com, 25 Dec 21: It was found out that most of the MLAs who quit the group belonged to the Matua community n a fresh setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal - five BJP MLAs have quit the official WhatsApp group of the party’s legislature after they/their community leaders were not given prominence in the district level reshuffle made on Saturday.

The BJP MLAs who quit the official WhatsApp group of the party are: Asim Sarkar (Haringhata MLA in Nadia), Ambika Roy (Kalyani MLA in Nadia), Subrata Thakur (Gaighata MLA in North 24-Parganas), Mukut Mani Adhikari (Ranaghat South MLA in Nadia) and Ashok Kirtaniya (Bongaon North MLA in North 24-Parganas district).

It was learned that most of the MLAs belong to the Matua community and there are speculations that they left the party’s official WhatsApp group after their community leaders were not given prominence in today’s reshuffled list of district presidents, district-in-charge, Bibhag-in-charge, and Bibhag convenors.

Speaking to the media persons, State BJP president, Sukanta Majumdar said, “I am not aware of it. It may be possible that someone is disappointed but there are platforms in the party where such issues can be discussed.”

With the discontent, the rift within the Bengal BJP is once again out in the open in West Bengal.

Ever since Mukul Roy who re-joined the TMC on May 11 in presence of Mamata Banerjee – several TMC leaders who shifted camps and joined the BJP before the Assembly Polls are in constant touch with the TMC leadership for ‘ghar wapsi’.

Sources said, BJP leader (from Matua community) Shantanu Thakur who is also the Union Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways sought an appointment with national party president JP Nadda to discuss the matter along with th five disgruntled MLAs.