BJP workers protest at Salt Lake office, demand local candidates over outsiders

Protests erupted at the BJP office in Salt Lake, Kolkata, as party workers expressed strong discontent over the ticket distribution for upcoming Assembly elections. Supporters claimed that several constituencies, including Hingalganj, Balagarh, Basirhat, and Minakhan, were allotted tickets to outsiders instead of local leaders. Last Sunday, the unrest surfaced when workers from Hingalganj demanded that the party replace candidate Rekha Patra with a local representative, a protest that continued on Tuesday.

The protests coincided with the visit of BJP’s All India President Nitin Gadkari, who was in Bengal holding extensive meetings to assess the party’s organizational strength. Workers from multiple constituencies, including Balagarh and Baduria, gathered at the Salt Lake office early morning, demanding immediate replacement of candidates like Sumana Haldar and Sumana Sarker. Protesters alleged that Haldar, who was previously affiliated with TMC, had targeted BJP workers during past elections, raising concerns about her candidacy.

Social media amplified the issue, with opposition leaders posting videos of the protests and mocking the BJP for internal dissent. Despite visible discomfort for the state leadership, no formal response has been issued yet. Party supporters insisted that tickets should prioritize local representation, underscoring ongoing friction within the BJP over candidate selection ahead of the elections.