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

BJP State president Samik Bhattacharya addresses a press conference. File | Photo Credit: ANI

Observing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power without the support of those trying to make into the party now, president of the party’s West Bengal unit Samik Bhattacharya on Friday (November 13, 2026) said that FIR should be registered against elements who are trying to associate with the party and tarnish the image of the party.

“Register FIRs. Suvendu Adhikari is the police minister. Give me the papers, I will file them,” Mr. Bhattacharya said. The remarks made by the Bengal BJP chief have been made at a time when there are allegations that leaders and supporters of other parties are trying to join the BJP. There have been certain reports of BJP supporters allegedly indulging in extortion after the party came to power, a charge that was levelled against Trinamool Congress leaders when the party was in power. “BJP has reached here (came to power) by keeping them out. BJP has no need to touch them,” he said.

Mr. Bhattacharya said that there can be some ‘deviations’ and the “party will correct them”. The BJP leader said anyone cannot claim allegiance to the party simply by garlanding BJP leaders. “The door was closed before; it is still closed. The door has not been officially opened,” he said. The remarks by the Bengal BJP chief come amidst claims that it is facing a challenge of “Trinamoolisation of the BJP” and Mr. Bhattacharya has been saying that the party will resist it.

BJP leaders to be appointed ward coordinators

While the BJP president warned against outsiders getting into the party, he made it clear that it will be BJP leaders who are appointed as ward commissioners. Mr. Bhattacharya said that the party will not take suggestions from Md. Salim, the CPI(M) State secretary or any other party to appoint coordinators to oversee civic services in Kolkata and Howrah if municipal elections were delayed.

“They (the ward coordinators) will be BJP people,” he said. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had said that the government will appoint coordinators in the wards of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Howrah Municipal Corporation if the stay on civic polls is not lifted by the Supreme Court. 

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

Published - November 14, 2026 04:10 am IST