BJP Faces Internal Dissent in North Bengal Over Candidate Selection

KalimNews, Siliguri, March 22,2026 : Dissatisfaction over candidate selection continues to escalate within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as protests and incidents of vandalism have been reported from multiple constituencies across North Bengal. This growing unrest has placed the party in a challenging position ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

In Jalpaiguri district’s Maynaguri Assembly Constituency, strong resentment emerged following the renomination of sitting MLA Kaushik Roy. On Friday, aggrieved party workers locked Shyamal Roy, the BJP district president, along with other district leaders inside the party office, staging protests outside.

Krishna Das, president of Jalpaiguri Mandal No. 2, voiced strong opposition, stating that party workers do not support Kaushik Roy. He alleged that the MLA has remained largely inactive since winning the last Assembly election and demanded that the candidate be replaced within 24 hours.

Shyamal Roy said that he had engaged with the protesting workers and conveyed their concerns to the state leadership. However, Kaushik Roy has yet to respond to the ongoing controversy.

Tensions also escalated in Malbazar after Shukra Munda was announced as the BJP candidate for the Mal Assembly Constituency. On Thursday evening, party workers gathered at the Mal Town office at Gurjung Jhora More, staging protests under the leadership of Anil Oraon and Pilatus Oraon.

The protest soon turned violent, with demonstrators vandalising the office, damaging furniture, and setting fire to party flags, banners, and campaign materials. Anil Oraon criticised the decision, claiming that the party had ignored local leadership by nominating a candidate from outside the constituency.

Nabin Saha, president of the Mal Town Mandal, confirmed that the issue has been reported to higher authorities. Senior party worker Mangal Oraon also raised concerns about the selection of an “outsider” candidate.

Shukra Munda, the BJP candidate, stated that repeated attempts to contact district leaders had gone unanswered and that the matter has now been escalated to higher authorities.

In Alipurduar district’s Madarihat Assembly Constituency, similar unrest was reported following the nomination of Laxman Limbu. A section of party workers alleged that the candidate lacks strong local connections.

On Thursday, aggrieved workers vandalised the party office in Madarihat, damaging furniture and locking the premises. Kartik Oraon, General Secretary of the Alipurduar District ST Morcha, demanded that the candidature be withdrawn and replaced with a local, active worker, warning that a larger movement would be launched if their demands were not met.

On Friday, BJP workers intensified their agitation by carrying out a protest march in Birpara, where they locked the party office for an indefinite period.

Tensions have also risen within the BJP over candidate selections for the Darjeeling Hills. There was an initial understanding between the BJP and its alliance partners regarding the three seats of Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong. However, after the BJP published its second list of candidates, dissatisfaction grew among the party leaders in these three subdivisions.

Leaders and supporters from Kalimpong and Kurseong have threatened mass resignations, directed towards Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, due to the selection of Sonam Lama for Kurseong and Bharat Chetri for Kalimpong. These leaders have also warned that they will field their own candidates against the BJP’s official nominees.

Ajay Sharma, Manoj Dewan, and Rajen Mukhia argued that the BJP would lose with the candidates chosen by the central leadership. They claimed that this would pave the way for a victory for the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and therefore, they were determined to field other BJP leaders who could win in the elections.

In response, Sanjeev Lama, the BJP Darjeeling District President, defended the decisions made by the party’s high command regarding the selection of candidates.

The disgruntled BJP leaders have given 24 hours to higher party leaders, including Raju Bista, to change the list of candidates for the three seats in the Darjeeling Hills. If their demands are not met, they have hinted at further actions, including resignations and the launch of a larger movement against the party's leadership.

In a firm and direct response to the recent internal unrest within the party, Raju Bista dismissed the dissent, stating that individuals who have only recently joined the party are already demanding seats and engaging in bargaining. He emphasized that such behavior is not acceptable in a disciplined party like the BJP and advised that those who wish to engage in such practices should do so elsewhere.

He also shared details of his recent meeting, which reflect a message of unity and collective purpose: “Today, I met three candidates from the Darjeeling Hills — Mr. Bharat Chhetri from Kalimpong, Mr. Noman Rai from Darjeeling, and Mr. Sonam Lama from Kurseong — and on behalf of the people of our region, BJP workers, and alliance partners, I extended my best wishes for their victory in the upcoming elections.

He said, history stands as witness that whenever the Gorkhas have united, we have defeated all adversaries. Today, all of us Gorkhas stand united on one platform, committed to fulfilling our cause, our purpose, and our shared aspirations.

I request BJP and alliance workers, as well as the citizens of our Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong constituencies, to bless and support these candidates. Your support will further strengthen Gorkha unity and pave the way for a better and brighter future for our region and our people, Bista added.”

Bista’s remarks reflect a mix of internal party discipline concerns and a broader political appeal for unity ahead of elections.

On one hand, his criticism of leaders demanding seats highlights a common issue in political parties—balancing experience, loyalty, and new entrants’ expectations. From his perspective, maintaining discipline and organizational structure is essential, especially in a party like the BJP, where hierarchy and long-term commitment are often emphasized. 

On the other hand, such statements may also be viewed as dismissive by newer members who believe they have a legitimate stake or fresh contributions to offer. In a democratic setup, internal dialogue, inclusion, and fair opportunities are also important for a party’s growth and adaptability. Ignoring or sidelining newer voices could risk creating further dissatisfaction within the ranks.

At the same time, his message about unity among the Gorkha community carries a broader political and social appeal. Emphasizing collective identity, shared goals, and cooperation is a common and often effective approach during elections. It aims to consolidate support and focus attention on larger regional aspirations rather than internal disagreements.