With the induction of tainted leaders from the Trinamool, the BJP’s war on corruption suffers a setback
The headquarters OF the BJP’s West Bengal unit is located on Murlidhar Sen Lane, a narrow road off Kolkata’s Chittaranjan Avenue. A part of Kolkata’s heritage zone, the road is not wide enough for big cars to enter. Senior BJP leaders often give it a miss when they visit Kolkata, although the iconic building houses the offices of state BJP president Dilip Ghosh and the party’s election in-charge Mukul Roy.
But the BJP’s unprecedented success in the Lok Sabha elections has changed things dramatically. With the party winning 18 of 42 seats in the state, the party headquarters wears a busy look these days. The state unit’s voice is now heard in Delhi more than ever before. A new, spacious office with modern facilities is being built on Hare Street in the western part of the city.
“Come 2021, barring a big mistake by the BJP, the party is poised to take the chief ministerial seat away from Mamata Banerjee,” said an academic from Calcutta University. “I can tell you the rush at the party headquarters is not just because the BJP is in power in Delhi.” The BJP has been attracting members from diverse backgrounds, including the Tollygunge film fraternity. It has cells among government employees, teachers’ associations and even among Durga Puja committees, usually dominated by the party in power in Kolkata.
This story is from the September 08, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 08, 2019 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state