A BITTER REARGUARD BATTLE

In August, the West Bengal unit of the BJP set in motion a month-long outreach programme to rejuvenate its cadre after a demoralising assembly election defeat. Sebayi Sangathan (our organisation means service) was aimed at creating goodwill through social welfare activities, but the sudden and precipitous decline in manpower has made it hard to get the show on the road.

- Romita Datta

The BJP had hoped to engage some 160,000 booth-level workers across the state, but barely 3,000 showed up.

More proof of the prevailing despondency came at the party meetings held on August 24-25 in Kolkata and Durgapur to review organizational strength. Mandal presidents from several districts admitted in the presence of the national joint general secretary (organization) Shivprakash that the party cadre was disenchanted with the absentee state and central leadership. “About a fourth of our workers are keeping off active politics. An increasing number are joining the Trinamool Congress (TMC) out of fear or frustration. Our leaders have asked us to bring them around, but it looks difficult,” says a Mandal president from South 24 Parganas, requesting anonymity.

The BJP is waging a battle to hold on to its base in Bengal amid attrition in the ranks. The party’s strength in the 294-member assembly is down to 72 MLAs from 77. Three legislators switched over to the TMC while two—Lok Sabha MPs Nisith Pramanik and Jagannath Sarkar—gave up their assembly seats to remain in Parliament. More desertions are on the cards. “Ten of our MLAs from North Bengal, South Bengal and Midnapore are set to join the TMC. Won’t be surprised if [this lot] includes an economist in the hope that he might be made finance minister,” claimed a state BJP leader, also requesting anonymity.

DO AS THE SANGH DOES