Kamal Kumar Biswas. TOD.Balurghat
Just days ahead of the upcoming assembly election, signs of discord have surfaced within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Balurghat Assembly constituency, raising concerns about internal cohesion at a critical moment.Sushil Mardi, the district president of the party’s Scheduled Tribe Morcha, announced on Thursday that he will contest the election as an independent candidate. Speaking at a press conference held at a local lodge in Balurghat, Mr.Sushil Mardi stated that he intends to file his nomination on April 4.
His decision follows sharp allegations against the party’s leadership. Mr.Sushil Mardi claimed that the sitting legislator, Ashok Lahiri, was removed unethically and that the party ticket for the constituency had effectively been “sold for money.” He further argued that grassroots workers had been sidelined in the decision-making process, prompting his break from the party line.
“I have the support of nearly 19 percent of the people,” Mr. Mardi asserted, suggesting that his candidacy could carry weight in what is expected to be a closely contested race.In response to his announcement, the BJP moved swiftly to expel Mr.Sushil Mardi from the party, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to dissent during the election period.
Political observers note that while the BJP maintains a strong organizational presence in the region, Mr. Mardi’s independent bid could complicate electoral calculations. His move may fragment the party’s vote share and potentially offer an advantage to opposition candidates in the constituency.As the nomination deadline approaches, the situation in Balurghat underscores the challenges parties face in maintaining unity amid high-stakes electoral contests.
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