BJP leader accused of ₹8 lakh job scam in Nandigram

Ashis Mandal, the Deputy Head of Sonachura Gram Panchayat in Nandigram, has been accused of defrauding Amiya Maity, an elderly teacher, of ₹8 lakh under the pretext of securing a job for his son. According to Maity, the incident began in 2019 when Mandal promised to help his son get a job in exchange for a significant sum of money. Maity claims to have paid ₹8 lakh to Mandal, which included ₹1.3 lakh in cash and the rest through checks.

Maity further explains that his association with Mandal began when he tutored Tapas Pramanik, Mandal's relative. He alleges that during this time, Mandal made the promise to secure a job for his son. Despite numerous follow-ups, Maity claims that the job was never provided, and Mandal did not return any of the money. Unable to resolve the issue directly, Maity filed a formal complaint at Nandigram police station accusing Mandal of fraud.

Mandal, however, has denied the accusations and described them as politically motivated. He alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress was behind the charges, aiming to damage his political reputation. Mandal further claimed that the allegations were part of a broader political conspiracy intended to weaken him within the BJP.

In response to the allegations, the BJP leadership in Tamluk, where Mandal is active, stated that if the charges are proven true, the party will take appropriate action. Sudip Das, a senior BJP leader from the Tamluk district, emphasized that the party does not protect anyone involved in criminal activities. On the other hand, local Trinamool Congress leader Mansur Ali criticized Mandal and the BJP, asserting that such promises of jobs are often deceitful and unfulfilled. The case has added fuel to the already intense political rivalry between the BJP and Trinamool Congress in Nandigram, an area historically known for its political tensions.