The Ministry of Home Ministry has decided to revoke the security cover of 32 BJP political leaders in West Bengal, including former union ministers, former vice-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Lok Sabha election candidates.
While some whose names are on the list called it a routine affair and a decision taken by the Centre every three months, the security of many who are not in active politics was still intact. Not all defeated candidates and former ministers lost their cover. This has triggered speculations that the list reflects BJP's political intentions.
Former Union Minister and BJP MP from Alipurduar John Barla is one of the leaders whose security cover was withdrawn. His relations with the party had deteriorated recently after Barla got close to the TMC. Political observers believe removing Barla hinted at the BJP's approach to the leader. He reacted to the move, stating that he did not need security as he had no enemies.
"I do not need security. I have been agitating among the people all my life. I have no enemies. I was active in the movement during the Left era and even when we had a conflict with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. Even then, I did not need security. Why do I need it now?" Barla was quoted by Anaandbaazar Patrika.
Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency candidate Abhijit Das and former Diamond Harbour MLA Dipak Haldar are on the list. The list also includes Piya Saha, who contested from Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency, and Dhananjay Ghosh, the BJP candidate from Jangipur Lok Sabha constituency.
The BJP has three more former Union Ministers in the state; Nishith Pramanik, Subhash Sarkar, and Debashree Chowdhury. Though all three couldn't win in 2024, their central security is still intact. Dilip Ghosh, Lockett Chatterjee and Arjun Singhera are also former MPs whose security cover was maintained by the Union Home Ministry.
BJP leader Jagannath Chatterjee said the Home Ministry reviews the list at regular intervals. "We evaluate the names of leaders who need security and who don't. However, the list reveals that the security of those who lost in the last elections and are currently inactive have been revoked," he told reporters.
BJP leader Abhijit Das, who contested against Abhishek Banerjee in the Diamond Harbor, feels that the security list was leaked with ulterior motives by a section within the party.