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BJP suspends 22 West Bengal leaders amid extortion allegations
The Bharatiya Janata Party, called BJP for short, is a big political party in India.
Its team in the state of West Bengal decided to be very strict with its own members.
The party suspended 22 leaders and sent warning notices to more than 250 party workers.
This happened because some members were accused of taking money by force, which is called extortion, and of other misbehaviour.
Some news reports say the 22 members were suspended, while one report says they were expelled, along with about 250 workers being suspended.
The party's state leader, Samik Bhattacharya, had warned members to behave properly within 15 days.
A businessman named Surindra Kumar Kanti said a local BJP leader asked him to pay 5 crore rupees.
When he said no, the leader and his friends broke things at his office, warehouse and home, and came back in July to damage them again.
A leader from another party, Kunal Ghosh, said BJP workers are taking money across the whole state.
The BJP says it is looking into the complaints and wants to keep its organisation clean.
The BJP's West Bengal unit suspended 22 functionaries, including mandal presidents, over alleged extortion, corruption and anti-party activities; one report instead says 22 leaders were expelled and about 250 workers suspended.
More than 250 leaders and workers were served show-cause notices; around 80 were let off after satisfactory explanations before the 22 were sanctioned.
The crackdown targets the alleged 'cut-money culture' and follows a 15-day discipline deadline set by state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya; more than 30 leaders and workers have been expelled since May.
Businessman Surindra Kumar Kanti alleged local BJP leader Dilip Mondal demanded Rs 5 crore and vandalised his office, warehouse and residence, with attacks on 4 July and 15 July.
Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh alleged BJP workers are engaged in extortion across the state; the BJP has not officially responded.
- Who
- The BJP's West Bengal unit under state president Samik Bhattacharya, along with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and ministers Dilip Ghosh, Arjun Singh and Agnimitra Paul; complainant Surindra Kumar Kanti; accused local leader Dilip Mondal; TMC leader Kunal Ghosh; and central in-charge Sunil Bansal.
- What
- The BJP suspended 22 functionaries, including mandal presidents, in its strongest organisational action since assuming office, over allegations of extortion, corruption and anti-party activities; one report says 22 leaders were expelled and around 250 workers suspended, and more than 250 leaders and workers were served show-cause notices.
- Where
- West Bengal, particularly Kolkata and adjoining districts; fresh allegations concern Mallikpur in the Diamond Harbour area of South 24 Parganas.
- When
- Announced on a Wednesday, several weeks after public warnings and three months into a wider disciplinary exercise; the new state leadership assumed charge in May, and the alleged vandalism occurred on 4 July and 15 July.
- Why
- To crack down on the alleged 'cut-money culture' and extortion under the new state leadership, and to signal organisational discipline ahead of central in-charge Sunil Bansal's visit.
TMC and Complainants' View
BJP's Position
Extortion Allegations in West Bengal
TMC and Complainants' View
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh alleged BJP workers are engaged in extortion across the state, with similar complaints emerging from several districts and accusations that BJP leaders demand a share of money collected by others.
BJP's Position
The BJP has not officially responded to those allegations; it points to the suspension/expulsion of 22 leaders, show-cause notices and action against the 'cut-money culture', with ministers asserting that no one accused of extortion would be spared.
Diamond Harbour Vandalism Case
TMC and Complainants' View
Businessman Surindra Kumar Kanti alleged local BJP leader Dilip Mondal, alias Babai Malik, and associates vandalised his office, warehouse and residence after he refused an extortion demand of Rs 5 crore, with attacks on 4 July and 15 July and a complaint filed at Bishnupur Police Station.
BJP's Position
BJP functionary Sufal Ghatu of the Diamond Harbour organisational district said the matter was being examined by the party; the BJP has not given an official response.
Key facts
- Party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal unit
- Leaders sanctioned
- 22 (described as suspended in most reports; expelled in one)
- Show-cause notices
- More than 250 leaders and workers
- Cleared after explanation
- Around 80 functionaries
- Expelled since May
- More than 30 leaders and workers
- State BJP president
- Samik Bhattacharya
- Alleged extortion demand
- Rs 5 crore
- Alleged attack dates
- 4 July and 15 July
Quotes
State BJP President Shamik Bhattacharya
Leader of the BJP state unit in West Bengal
“"If they failed to abandon the "culture inherited" from the previous regime, "the direction of the tide could change"”
telegraphindia.com
rediff.com
“"The party would not shield anyone accused of extortion"”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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