A political stir has erupted in West Burdwan district after law minister Moloy Ghatak launched a sharp attack on BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya. Without naming individuals directly, Ghatak alleged that Bhattacharya was seated between a prominent land mafia and a scrap iron mafia during a party meeting in Asansol.
Speaking at the same venue where Bhattacharya had addressed BJP workers, Ghatak remarked that central agencies become active against the ruling party whenever elections approach. “But people have seen who occupied the most prominent positions on the stage with the BJP state president that day,” he said.
He further accused the BJP of importing leaders from outside Bengal during elections. “These leaders come from New Delhi and spread lies. Now, they are also trying to strike off genuine voters from the electoral roll through SIR, fearing a heavy defeat in the 2026 Assembly polls. To win, the BJP is attempting to use all resources, legally or illegally,” Ghatak added.
The minister claimed that in 2026 the Trinamul Congress would win all nine Assembly seats in West Burdwan, including Kulti, Asansol South and Durgapur West, currently held by the BJP. “The people of the state stand firmly beside their most popular leader, Mamata Banerjee, who looks after them all 365 days of the year,” he said.
Countering the allegations, Debtanu Bhattacharya, BJP district president of Asansol, questioned why the CBI had raided Ghatak’s house and why the Enforcement Directorate had summoned him several times.
“The BJP is not aligned with the sand, coal, scrap iron or land mafias of Asansol, who are very active in the district. Central agencies are already investigating these allegations and taking steps. Raids are being conducted by the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax department and CBI against the mafias,” Debtanu Bhattacharya stated at a press conference at the BJP office in Asansol.