‘Old Trinamool’ In New BJP Attire: Bengal Unit Faces Political Contradiction

It seems the case of old wine new bottle. Before the West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP had promised a reckoning with the Trinamool Congress’s alleged corruption, political violence and organisational network. But, months after the change of government, however, the party is confronting an uncomfortable question from within on “old Trinamool” becoming the new BJP. The unease has intensified since March 4, with the Trinamool effectively splitting into four political formations. Three Rajya Sabha MPs resigned and joined the BJP before returning to Parliament. Twenty Lok Sabha MPs after a meeting Union Minister Bhupender Yadav left Trinamool and joined the little-known NCPI and became part of the NDA. A third faction comprising 65 MLAs led by Ritabrata Banerjee and claiming to represent the “real” Trinamool saw Banerjee becoming LoP. The fourth remains aligned with the Kalighat camp. It is the first three formations that have created the most difficult political problem for BJP. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had repeatedly warned before the election that Trinamool “goons” would be dealt with firmly. Yet several leaders once targeted by the BJP are now political allies or members of the ruling party. State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya has acknowledged the contradiction where he stated that people voted for a change in the person inside the political attire, not merely a change of attire. The induction of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik and nominated to the Rajya Sabha has particularly unsettled sections of the BJP leaders.It may be recalled  Baraik was once attacked by former state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar as a “cow smuggler”. The same disquiet surrounds the Ritabrata faction. BJP leaders had accused several of its members of corruption, yet critics allege that the government has adopted a softer approach towards them.