Jalpaiguri: The former district vice-president of the BJP was assaulted in broad daylight by the current Jalpaiguri district presidents of the party and its Yuva Morcha.
The incident occurred on Thursday as the BJP party candidate was walking in a procession to submit nomination papers for the Dhupguri by-election at the district magistrate’s office.
The incident has ignited a storm of criticism within the party.
Ever since the announcement of a candidate for the Dhupguri by-election by the saffron camp, disgruntled BJP party workers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction over the choice of candidate. They have been directing their anger towards the district president.
For the Dhupguri Assembly by-election, the BJP has nominated Tapashi Roy, the wife of martyred CRPF personnel. The district BJP announced her candidature on Tuesday night. Many within the party opposed this and even posted on social media that in case the BJP candidate loses in the fray, the responsibility will fall entirely on the president.
The BJP workers within the Dhupguri Assembly constituency were already divided over the choice of candidate for the by-election, and this recent incident has further deepened the divide.
On the day of the incident, a procession began from the party office with the candidate and several prominent figures, including the party’s National Spokesperson Raju Bista, Jalpaiguri MP Dr. Jayant Kumar Roy, and BJP MLAs from various assembly constituencies. As the procession advanced, Alok Chakraborty, the former vice-president of the district, stepped forward to greet the candidate with a bouquet.
Suddenly, BJP district President Bapi Goswami forcefully pushed him to the ground and proceeded to physically assault him, accompanied by District Yuva Morcha President Polen Ghosh.
Later Alok Chakraborty stated: “I approached to offer a simple greeting, but the brutal behaviour I encountered is unprecedented in the history of the BJP party. I strongly condemn this incident. I will also call for those responsible to be held accountable by the Party High Command.”