The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken action against four party leaders for their involvement in an attack on a health officer at a health center in Purulia district. The accused leaders have been asked to explain their alleged anti-party activities, which the party termed as “shameful.” They have also been instructed to refrain from party work temporarily.
The incident occurred on May 12 when BJP leaders were accused of harassing the Block Medical Officer of Health (BMOH) at Pathardi Health Centre in Baghmundi block of Purulia district. The leaders allegedly questioned the transfer of maternity patients from Baghmundi to a hospital in another state, sparking a political uproar.
Following the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results, the state BJP leadership viewed the incident seriously. Showcause notices were issued to the accused leaders, including Rakesh Mahato, a member of the Purulia Zilla Parishad and the convener of BJP’s Baghmundi block unit.
The showcause notices were also served to Baghmundi block co-convener Vijaymohan Singh, Mandal-4 president Arun Chandra Majhi, and Yuva Morcha president Mithun Kumar. The letters alleged intimidation of health officials, use of abusive language, physical harassment, and obstruction of government work post-election results, all deemed as anti-party activities by the BJP.
Based on the recommendations of the BJP disciplinary committee and under the directives of state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya, the four leaders have been barred from participating in party activities temporarily due to their alleged anti-party conduct. They have been given seven days to explain their actions.
BJP’s Purulia district president Shankar Mahato refrained from commenting on the issue, stating it as a party matter handled by the state leadership. The four leaders who received showcause notices declined to provide any comments. Rakesh Mahato, however, mentioned that he had approached the health officer to address the health center’s poor condition, acknowledging heated discussions but denying any harassment.
