BJP workers protest against Ashim Sarkar as Haringhata candidate, calling him 'outsider'

The announcement of Ashim Sarkar as the BJP candidate for the Haringhata Assembly constituency has triggered a wave of internal rebellion within the party’s Nadia unit. On Wednesday, hundreds of aggrieved party workers and supporters took to the streets in Kastadanga Bazar, demanding an immediate withdrawal of Sarkar’s nomination. The protesters categorized Sarkar as an "outsider" who remains inaccessible to the local populace, alleging that he has consistently failed to stand by the people in their times of need. The demonstration, characterized by high-pitched slogans, has highlighted a deep-seated disconnect between the local organizational base and the state leadership’s choice.

The dissenters have leveled serious allegations against Ashim Sarkar, claiming he operates with a complete disregard for party protocols and organizational hierarchy. According to the protesters, Sarkar’s "autocratic" functioning has alienated the grassroots workers who form the backbone of the party’s electoral machinery. More damagingly, the agitated workers raised the issue of corruption, specifically mentioning alleged influence-peddling in recruitment at Kalyani AIIMS. They argued that fielding a candidate with a tainted public image would make it impossible for them to solicit votes from the general public.

In a direct ultimatum to the BJP district and state leadership, the protesters demanded a "Son of the Soil" candidate who understands the pulse of Haringhata. They warned that if their demands are not met, they would not hesitate to field a preferred local leader as an independent candidate to challenge the official party nominee. This "revolt" has put immense pressure on the BJP high command, as Haringhata is a Matua-dominated area where Sarkar was expected to have significant leverage—a calculation that now seems disrupted by local hostility.