Kolkata: The BJP’s West Bengal unit chief Dilip Ghosh tested positive for Covid-19 days after he, in a political rally, claimed that the virus was gone and the imposition of restrictions to combat it was a political ploy by the state’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to prevent the BJP from conducting rallies ahead of the state’s Assembly elections, to be held in 2021.
The 56-year-old leader was admitted to a private hospital at around 10 pm on Friday, with high fever. He had not been feeling well for the last few days and had isolated himself at home, said one of his close associates.
A senior official of AMRI Hospital, where he is admitted, told The Print, “He tested positive last last night and got admitted at the Covid building.” The official added that Ghosh was doing fine. “He was admitted with high temperature. His oxygen saturation level is fine and he has no comorbidities.”
Ghosh, an MP from Midnapore, has been at the forefront of organising political rallies and meetings. He was leading large gatherings in districts and even participated in a protest rally against the state government, led by BJYM national president Tejasvi Surya on 8 October.
In September, Ghosh, addressing a rally in Hooghly’s Dhaniakhali, said that “Corona has gone”. He added, “This lockdown is just an eyewash by Didimoni (Mamata Banerjee) to stop BJP from holding meetings. No one can stop us now.”
Even as the party is yet to make a statement about Ghosh’s health status, a party MP, Arjun Singh tweeted and wished him a speedy recovery.
Getting reports that Dilip da, our ever energetic state president has tested positive for Covid. Wishing him a very speedy recovery.
Whole of Bengal awaits your presence on field dada, we need to fight and oust this anarchist govt at helm of things in WB. @DilipGhoshBJP.
— Arjun Singh (@ArjunsinghWB) October 16, 2020
Ghosh had earlier courted controversy for claiming that drinking cow urine can protect one from the virus.
Also read: Covid deaths & cases rising, tests down — Bengal stares at grim scenario ahead of Durga Puja
Many senior BJP leaders in the state infected
Many leaders in the party’s West Bengal unit have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, including General Secretary Locket Chatterjee, Organisational Secretary Subrata Chatterjee, newly appointed National Secretary Anupam Hazra and the state’s Mahila Morcha president Agnimitra Paul.
The BJP over the last couple of months, has intensified its political programmes in the state. Veteran leaders like National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and National VP Mukul Roy are travelling to districts and holding large public gatherings now. The leaders held at least two such mass rallies in Kolkata over the past 15 days and many in adjacent districts.
Also read: Covid-19 is air-borne, instances suggest community transmission in state, warns Mamata Banerjee