3 weeks ago
West Bengal BJP cracks down on 325 workers over extortion
After winning a big election in a place called West Bengal in India, the BJP political party is now in charge of the state government.
Soon after winning, some people complained that party members were taking money from people by threatening them.
That is called extortion, and it is against the law.
The BJP said it would not allow this and punished about 325 of its own workers.
The party's chief minister set up special phone numbers that people can call to complain.
Some leaders said the bad behaviour came from people who used to belong to the old ruling party and then joined the BJP.
Other leaders said the party must be strict with everyone, no matter who they are.
The party said it will watch for another 15 days before taking bigger action.
Police have already arrested at least one party member accused of taking money from truck drivers.
The party wants to show everyone that it does not support cheating or taking money unfairly.
West Bengal's BJP has suspended about 25 party activists and issued show-cause notices to over 300 workers at various levels across the state on charges of extortion, corruption and anti-party activities.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya warned that no one found involved in corruption, including MLAs or MPs, would be spared, saying the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari launched four toll-free helpline numbers for complaints related to cut money, syndicate extortion, and illegal toll and liquor.
BJP leader Rakesh Maji was arrested in West Burdwan's Jamuria for extorting cash from sand-laden trucks, while a promoter in south Dum Dum alleged he was beaten after being demanded Rs 5 lakh.
The party is also dealing with internal resentment over the induction of former TMC leaders, including three who were re-elected to the Rajya Sabha as BJP candidates.
- Who
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, including state president Samik Bhattacharya and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
- What
- Suspended about 25 party activists and issued show-cause notices to over 300 workers over charges of extortion, corruption and anti-party activities
- Where
- West Bengal, India, including Kolkata, South 24-Parganas, Hooghly, West Burdwan and Birbhum
- When
- About three months after the BJP swept the West Bengal Assembly elections, winning 207 of 293 seats
- Why
- To curb growing allegations of extortion and corruption inside its own ranks, which the party linked to the “culture” of the previous TMC regime
Strict discipline advocates
Pragmatic realists
Cause of the extortion problem
Strict discipline advocates
A section of the BJP's own leaders and workers are indulging in extortion, so strict organisational discipline must be enforced against them.
Pragmatic realists
Several TMC activists informally joined the BJP and are continuing their old activities; corruption was institutionalised during the Left and TMC regimes and will take time to control.
Inducting former TMC leaders
Strict discipline advocates
Inducting prominent TMC leaders strengthens the party, and several switchers were re-elected to the Rajya Sabha as BJP candidates.
Pragmatic realists
Party workers will not accept leaders from the TMC who caused their houses to be lost and injuries; as Dilip Ghosh said, “We have not opened doors for anyone.”
Whether the crackdown will succeed
Strict discipline advocates
The government has a zero-tolerance policy and anyone found guilty of corruption, including MLAs or MPs, will be dealt with severely and expelled.
Pragmatic realists
The issue of extortion will continue to exist because people now hold power and think they can earn money this way; leaders are “human beings of flesh and blood.”
Key facts
- Party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Seats won in Assembly election
- 207 of 293
- Workers suspended
- About 25
- Show-cause notices issued
- Over 300
- State BJP president
- Samik Bhattacharya
- Party in-charge of Bengal
- Sunil Bansal
- Toll-free helplines launched
- 4 (for cut money, syndicate extortion, illegal toll and liquor)
- High-profile arrest
- BJP leader Rakesh Maji in Jamuria for extorting cash from sand-laden trucks
Quotes
Senior BJP leader (unnamed)
A senior member of the Bengal BJP
“Some people are trying to extort money using our party’s name. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is taking strict administrative action. We are also taking action at the organisational level. There are deviations in one or two places. Such deviations cannot be tolerated all the time.”
indianexpress.com
“We have not washed everyone clean in a detergent or a washing machine… They are human beings of flesh and blood. Now they have come into government. Many think they can earn money this way. But our state president and CM have issued stern warnings against this.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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