Kolkata: Cracking down on extortion and corruption complaints against its grassroots workers and mid-level functionaries, Bengal BJP has expelled more than 30 and suspended about 250 from the party since coming to office in May. The party’s state disciplinary committee has warned of more heads rolling as it enforces a “zero-tolerance” policy towards anti-party activities.
The action comes amid senior state BJP functionaries, including president Samik Bhattacharya, CM Suvendu Adhikari and senior ministers Dilip Ghosh and Agnimitra Paul, repeatedly stressing the need to eradicate the state’s “cut-money” culture. Bhattacharya recently set a 15-day deadline, warning that anyone found indulging in such activities would face disciplinary action.
Speaking to TOI on Tuesday, state BJP disciplinary committee chief Pratap Banerjee said, “There are strict procedures that we follow. We suspended and expelled several workers after serious allegations surfaced. But some were taken back after we found them to be innocent. Every party worker remains under strict watch and we will not tolerate complaints of extortion, corruption or anti-party activities.”
A senior BJP functionary explained that the disciplinary committee investigates complaints, issues show-cause notices and recommends disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion. The panel examines a member’s response, or the absence of one, against the party’s constitution and stated ideology. It then submits its recommendations — ranging from a formal warning and temporary suspension to expulsion from primary membership — to the party president.
Party sources said the disciplinary action till now has primarily targeted district, mandal and booth-level functionaries. Banerjee added that the state leadership has now stepped up monitoring of grassroots workers as well. On Sunday, state chief Bhattacharya issued a warning to party workers. Within 24 hours, minister Agnimitra Paul spoke out against “a section of errant party workers” while minister Dilip Ghosh claimed several people had approached party seniors with crores to secure an entry into BJP.
Bhattacharya said, “There are no specific allegations against any MLA, MP or organisational office-bearer of collecting money. However, there are complaints against grassroots workers. We are trying to correct these organisationally. The CM has been taking very strict action against such activities from day one.”
Amid rising complaints of extortion and syndicate operations at the grassroots, the RSS has also stepped in to plug organisational oversight. Sources said Sangh functionaries plan to hold more coordination meetings across districts involving BJP MPs, MLAs and representatives of affiliates such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagaran Manch to reinforce organisational discipline and ideological commitment.