BJP faces ‘internal rebellion’ across Bengal over tickets

MP, Kolkata, 23 Mar 2026 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is grappling with widespread internal discord across several Assembly constituencies in West Bengal following the announcement of its candidate lists. Rebellion and protests erupted in multiple districts within hours of the lists being made public, with party workers and local leaders openly opposing the leadership’s choices.

Reports indicate that anger spilled onto the streets, with vandalism at party offices and demonstrations by disgruntled cadres in several areas. Sections of BJP leaders and activists alleged that tickets were distributed in exchange for money, sidelining long-time party workers. Some claimed that arrangements had been made in advance of ticket allocation, prompting protests outside the party’s Salt Lake office on Friday and Saturday.

“We have worked at the grassroots for 10–15 years and faced multiple cases. Now, candidates are being imposed from the top, with outsiders getting tickets. Tickets are being sold. Some who switched repeatedly between the Trinamool Congress and BJP have been fielded despite losing earlier elections,” a rebel leader said.

Controversy also erupted in North 24-Parganas’ Barasat after the BJP named Sankar Chatterjee as its candidate. Posters appeared outside the district party office branding him a “sold-out” leader and alleging that he had assisted the TMC in the 2021 polls in exchange for money. Chatterjee had contested on a BJP ticket in that election.

Factional tensions were also reported in Khardah, where clashes broke out between two BJP groups in the Bhangapara area under Ward 1 of the municipality over candidate selection.

In East Midnapore’s Mahishadal constituency, the nomination of Subhash Panja, a businessman with no prior electoral experience, triggered strong reactions from sections of the local leadership. Two senior functionaries, Biswanath Bandyopadhyay and Deepak Kumar Jana, resigned soon after Panja’s candidature was announced. Bandyopadhyay, who had contested from the seat in 2021, criticised the party’s functioning, alleging it was being run like a “corporate entity” with little regard for grassroots workers.