Following the BJP’s significant victory in West Bengal, state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya cautioned party members against engaging in post-election violence to prevent expulsion. Bhattacharya emphasized that the BJP would not replicate the actions of the Trinamool Congress government. With the BJP securing 206 seats in the state Assembly polls, a clear win was achieved, while the Trinamool Congress only managed to secure 81 seats. Additionally, the Congress, CPI-M, AISF, and Aam Janata Unnayan Party won a few seats each.
In a statement to the media, Bhattacharya stressed that any BJP worker found participating in post-poll violence would face removal from the party. He called upon the authorities to ensure that such incidents are prevented at all costs. Bhattacharya highlighted the need for strict measures by the administration to address any violence, holding them accountable for any lapses.
Moreover, Bhattacharya accused the Trinamool Congress of internal conflicts, citing incidents in Dumdum, Asansol, and Rajarhat Gopalpur where party members clashed. He alleged that Trinamool Congress groups were vying for control, even resorting to using BJP flags to assert dominance. Bhattacharya condemned the reported disputes over extorting money from e-rickshaw drivers and market vendors, emphasizing that such practices must cease immediately.
Responding to allegations by the Trinamool Congress that the BJP would ban fish and meat in the state, Bhattacharya dismissed the claims as baseless and attributed them to political desperation. He mentioned that the party’s central leadership would decide on the timing of the new Chief Minister’s swearing-in ceremony, suggesting May 9, coinciding with Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary as a suitable date.
