West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya has cautioned party workers against indiscipline and warned that those indulging in violence or tarnishing the party’s image could face police action and imprisonment. At the same time, he urged workers to stand by people who had suffered atrocities, stressing that the party’s commitment to avoiding revenge politics should not be seen as a sign of weakness.
Speaking at a BJP Bijoya Sammilani in Baguiati on Friday, Bhattacharya also responded to a social media meme that compared him to Gautama Buddha. The meme had circulated after he repeatedly spoke out against political retaliation following the BJP’s rise to power in West Bengal and took action against some party workers over allegations including the vandalism of offices belonging to the previous ruling party.
“People in West Bengal voted for us against the looters. On the morning of the day we won the election, the Prime Minister called me and clearly said that there should be no politics of revenge or division,” Bhattacharya said.
He said he had repeatedly tried to restrain party workers and that his position had prompted social media users to portray him as Gautama Buddha.
“I have tried time and again to restrain everyone. In return, social media turned me into Gautama Buddha. We are spreading the teachings of Buddha, not calling for war,” he said.
‘Do not mistake our civility for weakness’
However, Bhattacharya made it clear that restraint did not mean allowing people to target BJP workers or supporters without resistance.
“But this does not mean that, because a lion is still, someone can kick it. Our civility should not be mistaken for weakness. This should not be allowed to happen,” he said.
He asked party workers to identify those who had faced atrocities and extend support to them, regardless of where or how the alleged incidents had taken place.
“Stand by those who have been subjected to atrocities, wherever they are and in whatever manner they have suffered,” he said.
Warning against indiscipline and ‘new entrants’
The BJP state president also issued a strong warning against disorder within the party, asking workers not to force the leadership to take disciplinary action.
“Do not force the party to take tough steps. This anarchy cannot be allowed to continue. Identify those who are trying to tarnish the party’s flag and its colours, and file FIRs against them at police stations,” he said.
Referring to Suvendu Adhikari as the state’s police minister, Bhattacharya said workers could submit the relevant documents to him and he would ensure action against those responsible.
He also directed his warning at people who had joined the BJP suddenly after its electoral victory. Without naming anyone, he said some were moving around outside with saffron marks on their foreheads and asked party workers to ensure that such people did not misuse the party’s identity.
“Some people are going around outside wearing saffron tilaks. It is your responsibility to wipe off those saffron tilaks,” he said.
Bhattacharya also warned BJP members who were associating with such individuals, saying: “I want to tell those in our party who are taking them around that the doors of the jail are open.”