RSS diktat: BJP urging saffron veterans to return in Bengal

BJP sources said that since the beginning RSS was opposed to giving overemphasis to those joining BJP from Trinamool Congress. However, considering the wave then, the RSS leadership did not express its reservations. But after the 2021 West Bengal elections results were announced, the RSS leadership came out strongly on the issue by announcing that the veterans are the real assets of the party.

Kolkata:Before the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, West Bengal BJP organized camps in different parts of the state to facilitate leaders and workers from Trinamool Congress to join the saffron camp. But its impact was not at all favourable for BJP in the election results. On the contrary, several BJP veterans got irritated because of over-enthusiasm shown by the leadership for Trinamool Congress turncoats, veterans disassociated themselves from the party.

But now RSS has clearly said that these veterans are the real assets for the party. Hence, state BJP will now organize counter- camps to convince and persuade the veterans to return to the party. The main aim of the camps will be to persuade and bring back original saffron veterans at the booth, mandal, block and state-levels.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, BJP’s state general secretary, Sayantan Basu said that many original BJP veterans distanced themselves from party activities during the last couple of years. “But we want them back since they are most important assets of the party. These camps will be conducted in all the districts. The state BJP president has given clear instruction in this connection,” Basu said.

He, however, admitted that reorganizing the booth level will be not an easy task, because of the strong organisational network of Trinamool Congress there.

BJP sources said that since the beginning RSS was opposed to giving overemphasis to TMC turncoats joining BJP. However, considering the wave then RSS leadership refrained from expressing its reservations. But after the 2021 West Bengal elections results were announced, the RSS leadership came out strongly on the issue by announcing that the old veterans are the real assets of the party.

“Mainly because of the pressure from the RSS, both the central and state leadership of the party are now taking the initiative of bringing back the veterans,” a state BJP leader said.

BJP has done a review of the results of the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections. The review revealed that Trinamool Congress could take full control of the booth-level network as the original veterans didn't work for the party.

“But the party does not want to repeat the same mistake be it is the forthcoming municipality and municipal corporation elections or the 2004 Lok Sabha polls. Hence, the process of convincing the veterans has kickstarted,” the BJP leader said.