Former BJP MP Dilip Ghosh on Thursday, without naming anyone, took aim at leaders within his own party, asserting his long-standing dedication to the BJP and saying, “Don’t lecture me on RSS, Hindutva.”
This comes a day after Ghosh, along with his wife attended the inauguration of newly-built Jagannath Dham in Digha, a project close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Ghosh also met the TMC supremo on the sidelines of the event.
His visit sparked controversy within BJP ranks, raising questions about party discipline. BJP MP Saumitra Khan also criticised Ghosh, calling him a “shame of Bengal BJP.”
Addressing the criticism, Ghosh said, “No one from the party officially asked me not to go. In fact, no one welcomed my decision either.”
Dismissing the notion that one must sever all personal connections for the sake of politics, Ghosh said, “If in my neighbourhood, a TMC leader’s son is getting married, should I not attend it just because he is from the TMC? I don’t believe in that kind of politics. Those trying to make it the BJP’s culture don’t know the party. They don’t know me or the sacrifices I’ve made. Those who joined in 2021 won’t understand this,” he said, adding, “some are busy teaching RSS, some are teaching Hindutva. Don’t teach me Hindutva. If you cut my veins, you’ll find Hindutva and BJP’s blood running through them. I don’t know what’s running in others, because they’ve come after hopping from one party to another.”
Responding to personal attacks and jibes like ‘Bhogi’ and ‘Tyagi’, Ghosh said, “Those who marry four times, keep 14 girlfriends, and live one life during the day and another at night are calling me Tyagi and Bhogi?” Emphasising his connection to the grassroots, he added, “I’ve always been on the ground and will continue to be. I don’t have a double face.”
“I don’t meet anyone in secrecy. I talk publicly on camera. I will not change, my ethics will not change. Is it the first time that BJP and Hindus have been attacked? Some people have not done anything and are in the BJP to make money.”
Ghosh concluded with a defiant stance, reiterating his approach, “I don’t need lessons from leaders who joined the BJP in 2020 or 2021. These people don’t understand the BJP. They should remember, during my tenure, the BJP had 18 MPs and numerous MLAs. Why can’t the party retain them now? Why are MLAs leaving? They don’t have even a dozen. I don’t need lectures from anyone.”
TMC Spokesperson Kunal Ghosh took to X and said, “Dilip Ghosh’s roar overshadowed the roar of the sea in Digha today. He washed away a section of the BJP.”