KOLKATA — The Bharatiya Janata Party faces internal discord in West Bengal as its state leadership has firmly opposed inducting defectors from the ruling Trinamool Congress, describing the party as distinct from a temporary shelter for political migrants.
According to reports, the state unit has expressed strong reservations about welcoming leaders seeking to switch allegiances from Mamata Banerjee's party, arguing that such moves would dilute the BJP's organisational integrity and undermine workers who have remained loyal through difficult periods. The resistance highlights a growing tension between local cadres and the central leadership's strategy of expanding presence through high-profile defections.
The BJP had witnessed significant defections from Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2021 assembly elections, including several prominent leaders and legislators. However, the strategy yielded limited electoral dividends as the party won only 77 seats despite intense campaigning, while Trinamool secured a decisive majority with 213 seats in the 294-member assembly.
Political analysts suggest the state unit's current stance reflects lessons learned from past experiences, where defectors often brought little grassroots support while creating resentment among existing workers. The internal disagreement underscores broader challenges facing the BJP in Bengal as it attempts to consolidate its position as the primary opposition force against the entrenched Trinamool government.