BJP to adopt "bitter-sweet" strategy for leaders joining saffron camp from Trinamool

Party sources further said that a list of those leaders who are constantly airing anti-party statements publicly is being prepared. Similarly, a separate list of disciplined turncoats is also being prepared.

Kolkata:The West Bengal BJP is now adopting a two-pronged strategy to quell disgruntled voices within leaders who had switched sides from Trinamool Congress. On one hand, the state party president is ensuring that no big roles are given to the turncoats at the moment and on the other, the Leader of Opposition is reaching out to those other turncoats who have openly not voiced their displeasure over the running of affairs in the saffron brigade. The outreach is to make sure there is no further bleeding. But will it eventually help?

In simple words, for leaders with rebellious attitudes like Soumitra Kahn, Rajib Bandopadhyay and Sabyasachi Dutta, the approach of the BJP’s state leadership will be “bitter”. On the other hand, for leaders like Rathin Chakraborty and Baishali Dalmia, the approach will be “sweet”.

Already the state BJP president has been able to get a decision cleared by the party’s central high command that barring exceptions like leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari and Mihir Goswami, the party will not offer crucial organizational posts since the beginning to any leader joining BJP from Trinamool or any other party. Though the decision, Ghosh wanted to give a silent message within the party.

On the other hand, to ensure that the rebellious attitude of leaders like Soumitra Kahn, Rajib Bandopadhyay and Sabyasachi Dutta does not percolate to other turncoats, Adhikari is holding meetings with leaders like Dalmia and Chakraborty, since they never raised their voices publicly against the party even after getting defeated in the recently concluded West Bengal assembly elections.

On Tuesday night, Adhikari had a meeting with Dalmia, Chakraborty and former Trinamool Congress MLA, Jotu Lahiri. When contacted on this issue, BJP’s state general secretary said that the party is determined to take action against the rebel leaders. “At the same time, we also want to utilize the experiences of Trinamool leaders who have joined us. But at the same time, we will be careful in giving nomination to the new turncoats,” he said.

BJP sources said that the state leadership wants to fully exploit the experience of leaders like Dalmia, Chakraborty and Lahiri in strengthening the party’s district-level organization in Howrah. Adhikari wants to specially use Howrah former mayor, Rathin Chakraborty’s experience in the case of elections for Howrah Municipal Corporation. So he might be given some special responsibilities.

Party sources further said that a list of those leaders who are constantly airing anti-party statements publicly is being prepared. Similarly, a separate list of disciplined turncoats is also being prepared. “The strategy is to use them in the back-office organizational activities instead of bringing them in the forefront since the beginning.