File an FIR against those who tarnish the party’s image, says Bengal BJP chief

BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya addressed a press conference. File | Photo credit: ANI

Noting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come to power without the support of those who are now trying to join the party, the party’s West Bengal unit president Samik Bhattacharya on Friday (Nov 13, 2026) said that an FIR should be registered against elements trying to ally with the party and tarnish the party’s image.

“Register FIRs. Suvendu Adhikari is the police minister. Give me the papers, I will file them,” Mr Bhattacharya said. The Bengal BJP chief’s remarks come amid allegations that leaders and supporters of other parties are trying to join the BJP. There are some reports of BJP supporters allegedly indulging in extortion after the party came to power, an allegation leveled against Trinamool Congress leaders when the party was in power. “BJP got here (came to power) by keeping them out. BJP need not touch them,” he said.

Mr. Bhattacharya said there may be some “deviations” and “the party will correct them”. The BJP leader said that no one can declare allegiance to the party by just garlanding the BJP leaders. “The door was closed earlier; it’s still closed. The door hasn’t been officially opened,” he said. The Bengal BJP chief’s remarks come amid claims that he is facing the challenge of “Trinamoolisation of the BJP” and Mr Bhattacharya has said the party will rise to it.

BJP leaders will be appointed ward coordinators

While warning against outsiders joining the party, the BJP president made it clear that it would be BJP leaders who would be appointed as ward commissioners. Mr. Bhattacharya said the party would not accept suggestions from Md. Salim, the state secretary of the CPI(M) or any other party to appoint coordinators to oversee civic services in Calcutta and Howrah if the municipal elections were delayed.

“They (the ward coordinators) will be BJP people,” he said. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government will appoint coordinators in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Howrah Municipal Corporation departments unless the Supreme Court lifts the stay on the civic polls.

The Calcutta High Court on October 6 barred the West Bengal State Election Commission from issuing any notification for the upcoming KMC elections based on the newly redrawn constituencies until a pending petition challenging the delimitation exercise is decided.

Published – 14 Nov 2026 04:10 IST