‘Zero tolerance’: In open letter, Samik reads BJP ranks riot act against corruption
Times of India | 26 August 2026
RohitKhanna@timesofindia.com
Kolkata: In an open letter addressed to every BJP worker across Bengal, state party president Samik Bhattacharya on Tuesday declared a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, extortion and ‘tolabaji’ (cut money) within the ranks.
The strong missive made it clear that if any BJP neta or worker acts outside party principles or gets involved in corruption, the party will not take responsibility for their actions. An allegation of corruption may even get a neta or worker arrested, Bhattacharya wrote.
The letter, which identified honesty and transparency as BJP’s main driving force, said: “BJP is based on an ideology and serving the country forms the foundation for that. Of late, I have received some letters and complaints about some irregularities and unwanted activities of workers. If any neta or worker acts outside party principles or gets involved in corruption, the party will not take responsibility. This is applicable to workers and netas from booth level to state level.”
On multiple occasions earlier, Bhattacharya had issued warnings and the letter follows mounting complaints regarding grassroots-level extortion and attempts by some elements to mimic past syndicate practices.
“We have zero tolerance towards corruption. If anyone is found guilty of corrupt practices or misconduct, the party will take strict action irrespective of his position or designation,” he wrote. The state BJP leadership has already issued over 200 show-cause notices and suspended more than 100 individuals over various internal irregularities and graft allegations.
BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal, who held meetings with senior netas and party workers on Tuesday at the state headquarters, clarified that the party will not hesitate to get a neta arrested in case allegations of corruption or misconduct are proved against them. Bansal left for Hooghly later, where he held two consecutive meetings at Serampore, followed by Howrah.
“There is a clear message to party workers that even MLAs will not be spared if allegations are found true. The party followed a similar model in Uttar Pradesh and that helped to bring down such corrupt practices significantly. The same model will be followed here,” said a central BJP functionary who is keeping watch on the developments in Bengal.
“The state president has already sent show-cause notices to a number of party workers. A few have been expelled from the party. It is even true for netas like me and there is no exception in BJP. It is not a party which tolerates extortion and cut money. For those working against the principles, the party will take stringent action against the errant neta or worker,” Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said after the meeting.