States » EastPosted at: Oct 30 2026 6:37PM


Bengal BJP infighting surfaces as Kaustav Bagchi faces protest from party workers in Barrackpore

Kolkata, Oct 30 (UNI) The ongoing face-off between two BJP factions in the Barrackpore industrial belt escalated on Friday, with party MLA Kaustav Bagchi facing protests from fellow BJP workers.
The demonstration followed his public criticism of West Bengal Transport and Labour Minister Arjun Singh over his photograph with those accused in the murder of BJP leader Manish Shukla.
Bagchi, the BJP MLA from a neighbouring Assembly constituency, was visiting the Agriculture and Jute Research Centre at Nilganj on Friday afternoon to attend a programme. As his vehicle approached the centre, a group of local BJP workers, carrying placards, gathered outside the premises and raised "Go Back" slogans. The protesters staged a prolonged sit-in, objecting to Bagchi's remarks against Arjun.
The protesters alleged that Bagchi had made public disparaging comments against Arjun, the Noapara MLA, in connection with the murder of Manish Shukla. They said the demonstration was intended to register their protest against the legislator's statements.
The latest incident has further exposed factional divisions within the BJP in the Barrackpore industrial belt. The confrontation between supporters of Bagchi and Arjun has intensified over the past few days. Bagchi had earlier threatened to set himself on fire outside the BJP office if certain accused in the Manish Shukla murder case were inducted into the party. Subsequently, leaders from another BJP faction were seen visiting the residence of one of those individuals with sweets to celebrate Bijoya.
Reacting to Friday's protest, Bagchi dismissed the demonstrators as Trinamul Congress supporters who had joined the BJP after the election results were declared on the 4th May. He said, "They are all Trinamul Congress people who have become BJP supporters after our party takes power."
Bagchi also took an indirect swipe at Arjun, saying he had not joined the BJP after failing to secure a ticket from another political party. He recalled Arjun's presence at the Trinamul Congress's 'Jana Garjan' rally at Brigade Parade Ground in March 2024, shortly before he switched to the BJP.
"I have no personal enmity with Arjun. But nobody should mistake my tolerance for weakness," Bagchi said, adding that genuine BJP workers had no objection to his stand.
Arjun Singh or his associates were not available for comment on the controversy.
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