BJP MLA alleges 'close links' with TMC, calls Sukanta-Biplab 'cousins'; gets show-cause

Kolkata: The BJP has issued a show-cause notice to Gangarampur MLA Satyendra Nath Roy over controversial remarks he allegedly made about Union Minister of State and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar and Trinamool Congress MLA Biplab Mitra.

The party's disciplinary committee has asked Roy to explain his remarks within seven days.

The notice, issued by disciplinary committee chief Pratap Banerjee, said the party believes the MLA's conduct had damaged the BJP's image among the public and was contrary to party discipline.

Roy had posted a video on social media in which he alleged that a section of the BJP was maintaining close links with Trinamool Congress leaders, particularly those outside the camp led by ex-chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

In the video, Roy reportedly referred to the relationship between Sukanta Majumdar and Biplab Mitra as being like that of 'maternal cousins'.

He also alleged that such proximity between a BJP leader and an Opposition politician could adversely affect the BJP's organisational strength in South Dinajpur.

The remarks came after Mitra, who represents Harirampur, reportedly praised Majumdar for development initiatives in South Dinajpur at a district-level party meeting.

Mitra, a veteran Trinamool leader, won the Harirampur seat in the Assembly elections. He subsequently joined the camp led by Ritabrata Banerjee.

The BJP disciplinary committee described Roy's remarks as 'unethical' and against the party constitution.

The notice warned that further disciplinary action could follow if his explanation is found unsatisfactory. The video posted by Roy has not been independently verified.

The action comes amid the BJP leadership's repeated emphasis on maintaining the party's organisational identity after it came to power in West Bengal for the first time following the end of the Trinamool Congress' 15-year rule.

State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya has also publicly opposed what he has described as the 'TMC-isation' of the party.