Mithun claims factional disputes cost Locket Chatterjee votes in Hooghly

In a candid admission, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty has blamed internal factionalism within the Bengal BJP for Locket Chatterjee’s loss in the Hooghly constituency. Speaking to the media during a party membership drive in Pandua, Mithun said that Locket's defeat, which came by a narrow margin, could be directly attributed to this issue. His remarks have stirred a controversy within the party, as factional rifts are a recurring theme in the Bengal BJP.

Mithun expressed his disappointment openly, stating that Locket lost out on crucial votes due to the infighting. He pointed out that in certain assembly constituencies, the BJP was unable to secure enough votes, leading to the narrow loss. “The reason for this is definitely factional conflict. This situation is due to the problem among some people. It is a very sad incident,” Mithun remarked. His words have triggered a storm within the party, raising questions about the party's internal struggles.

Locket Chatterjee, who has been at the center of the controversy, responded calmly, saying that the party membership process was moving at a slower pace than expected but was still on track. "The process is progressing slowly, but everyone is being encouraged. Everyone has to come forward," she said. However, when asked about the factional conflict, she chose not to comment directly, stating, "That is a matter within the party."

BJP leaders from the area have denied any serious factional disputes, with some claiming that it was a matter of individual effort rather than widespread party conflict. They assert that someone might have worked harder than others, but there were no deep-rooted issues among the party members. Nonetheless, Mithun's outburst has added fuel to the ongoing narrative of internal struggles within the party, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the party’s performance in the upcoming months.

The issue of factionalism has long been a sensitive subject in Bengal BJP, and Mithun’s comments add a new layer of complexity to the already tense situation. The party is under pressure to meet its membership targets set by the central BJP, and any internal discontent could further hamper its efforts. With the deadline for membership registration set for December 31, the situation is likely to remain volatile in the coming days.