Despite party's gag order, state BJP leaders root for division of Bengal

A day after BJP national president J P Nadda directed the party’s state leadership not to make comments about the division of Bengal, a saffron legislator raised the issue again on Friday, clearly indicating the directive has fallen on deaf ears.

Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma said he was within his constitutional rights to seek the division of the state. “I am sticking to my demand because I am being vocal for the locals. I am merely echoing the sentiment of those who elected me,” he told the media.

The BJP, however, was quick to distance itself from the legislator’s remark, dismissing it as his personal view.  “I don’t want to say anything on comments made by any legislator in his individual capacity. But as a party functionary we have to follow the directive of the organization,” said senior BJP leader and MLA Manoj Tigga.

During his two-day visit to the state concluded on Thursday, Nadda had said no party leader should raise the contentious demand in public as it is conveying a “wrong message” to the people.

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He also stated that the demand for division of Bengal is not the official position of the BJP.

“I am still sticking to my demand. I am only concerned about how to fulfill the promise made to the people of my constituency who are for separation from Bengal,” Sharma said.

There has been a sharp north versus south division within the Bengal BJP over the bifurcation of the state. Some BJP leaders from North Bengal, including those from the Nepali-majority hill districts, are demanding the creation of either a spate state or union territory, carving out the region from the state. The demand is however opposed by those in the party who are from southern parts of the state.

Sharma had also raised the issue on Thursday during Nadda’s meeting with the BJP lawmakers, prompting the party president to issue a gag order.

The violation of the order by Sharma is clearly symptomatic of the problem afflicting the BJP in the state.

The party during elections made several emotive promises such as permanent solutions to the Gorkhaland issue, implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the formation of Narayani Sena Battalion’ in the paramilitary forces for Rajbonshi community among others.

Now as the BJP-led government at the Centre is dragging its feet on implementing the promises, the party’s elected representatives are facing backlash in their constituencies.

Just as BJP leaders from North Bengal  — particularly those from hills like Sharma —demanding bifurcation of the state, leaders from Matua community are revolting against the party for not implementing the CAA.

The BJP central leadership avoids taking tough action against the dissenting leaders fearing they might quit the party, further weakening its presence in the state.

The inability of the party’s central leadership to crack the whip is only emboldening the rebels, who openly flout party lines.

Nadda’s recent visit to set the party house in order has clearly failed to change the situation.