BJP to compile list of IAS & IPS officers ‘close to Mamata govt’, claims bias in Bengal

BJP also plans to come up with a list of ‘goons in every block and district that will be handed over to home ministry’, says action necessary for free and fair elections next year.

File photo of clashes in Kolkata between the West Bengal Police and BJP workers at the 'Nabanna Chalo' agitation | Photo: ANI

New Delhi: Claiming that four of its workers have been killed in just the past 15 days, the BJP’s West Bengal unit has decided to compile a list of “all suspected goons in every block and district who could create trouble in the 2021 assembly elections”.

The list will be shared with the Union home ministry.

The BJP has also sought the names of IAS, IPS and other officers deemed close to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

The BJP action has been prompted by a number of incidents this month. On 8 October, there were clashes in Kolkata after the police prevented a BJP march to Nabanna, the state secretariat, against what the protestors described as Bengal’s “worsening law and order situation”.

Just days earlier, on 4 October, BJP leader Manish Shukla was shot dead at Titagarh in North 24 Parganas district.

Last week, a blast ripped off the roof of a club at Beliaghata in Kolkata, with the BJP calling for a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the grounds that it was an instance of the TMC hoarding bombs for the election season. 

“I have asked party workers to prepare a list of TMC goons who can create disturbance in the assembly elections,” West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh told ThePrint over phone.

“Last week’s incident is proof that TMC workers are hoarding bombs for assembly elections. Once this list is prepared, it will be shared with central agencies and the Election Commission.”

The Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh told ThePrint that the state unit is also compiling a list of officers “close to the TMC regime”.

“We have prepared a list of officers from top to bottom who are working on the instruction of the government,” he said. “There are 26 IPS officers whose credibility is in question and who are agents of the Trinamool government. At a lower level, this number is huge, which needs to change for free and fair elections.”

His views were echoed by party colleague, the Hooghly MP Locket Chatterjee, who accused the police and the administration of bias.

“When we ask for permission to hold events, it is not granted. But if the Trinamool asks, permission is granted immediately,” she told ThePrint.

“The officers have looted food grains during Cyclone Amphan, they create problems for BJP workers everyday and they don’t catch the Trinamool goons,” she added. “Bengal has become a police state; this needs to be corrected. Naming and shaming of officers and goons is the only alternative.”

The TMC, however, denies the charges. Party MP Dibyendu Adhikari told ThePrint that this is part of the BJP’s pressure tactics in the state.

“The West Bengal police personnel are the most honest, they act on their own and on facts,” he said. “The BJP should leave the Bengal police alone.”

Bengal BJP wants President’s rule, Centre treads cautiously

The Bengal BJP is also building pressure to impose President’s rule in the state before the assembly polls.

“In Bengal, free and fair elections can only happen only under President’s rule,” Singh, the Barrackpore MP, said. “I know the Trinamool’s working style as I have been in the party. They know how to rig elections. Even if central forces are deployed, they will rig elections in some booths. So dependence on just central forces will not work in Bengal; President’s rule is required here for free elections.”

Chatterjee also claimed that the TMC will rig the polls. “The real challenge before the party is to ensure free elections. People are waiting to give the BJP a chance but if we do not inspire confidence in workers and the people, then Mamata will walk away with the elections,” she said.

“In assembly polls, margins are small and any rigging at the lower level or in a few booths can alter the verdict.”

The BJP high command is viewing the demand cautiously as it does not want to give Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a chance to play the martyr.

But two days ago, Home Minister Amit Shah, in an interview to CNN News18 made a slight departure from the official line.  

Answering a question on BJP workers being killed in West Bengal, Shah said, “The Bengal situation is serious, and law and order has crumbled. There is killing of political workers, shootouts and bomb factories in every district. The decision to enforce President’s rule is taken after considering many factors but I can say that the situation in Bengal is very disturbing. Any decision will be taken after due consultation.”