Resentment at retreating before Trinamool Congress in the Lok Sabha polls was simmering in the rank and file of the saffron camp. It came to the surface and turned into a fierce blame game.

A search for a scapegoat for the electoral reverse was on. In and around the state BJP headquarters at Muralidhar Sen Lane, saffron camp supporters who were identified as veterans and "new entrants" came to blows, each faction accusing the other.

The meeting focusing on the causes of poll reverse at Science City auditorium started on a belligerent note with Bishnupur MP Soumitra Khan raising the demand for change of leadership as "nobody likes an unsuccessful leader". Khan it may be recalled, was not too happy at being denied a ministerial berth despite retaining his constituency.

But it was when leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said "Jo hamare sath, hum uske sath" (with those who are with us) the entire BJP leadership was at a loss for words. For Adhikari had changed the slogan of Prime Minister Modi "Sabke sath, sabke vikas" (with everyone and development for everyone) brought in the "them" read Opposition and to more specific minority community and "us" syndrome there by trashing the call for inclusiveness given by the Prime Minister.

Adhikari also suggested dissolving the party's minority wing. It led to the party distancing itself from him and dismissing his remarks as personal.

It was learnt from BJP sources that to shift the blame for the election defeat, Adhikari had chosen a community for which his party has little love lost. Yet his statement embarrassed no end the pro-Hindutva BJP leadership.

Even though Adhikari later said though he was a firm believer of the Prime Minister's slogan, he took this opportunity to claim that most of the Muslims of the state have voted for Trinamool Congress. Adhikari may choose to stick to his words, but an explanation is likely to be sought from him by the national leadership with Union minister Manoharlal Khattar and central observers Sunil Bansal and Mangal Pandey present on the auditorium with Majumdar and other leaders.

Trying to shift the blame for the election defeat, Adhikari blamed the party organisation headed by Sukanta Majumdar. While sources stated that Adhikari had a major say in the selection of candidates and thus he was urged to take the responsibility for defeat. Majumdar pointed out that only one fourth of the election responsibilities belonged to the organisation thereby deftly passing the buck to Adhikari.

The fallout of the war of words was widespread. While Adhikari came in for praise from former state BJP chief Tathagata Roy "for having the courage to speak an unpleasant political truth", there were few takers for the words of the leader of the Opposition.

Both Majumdar and party spokesman Samik Bhattacharya did not endorse Adhikari's contention. Those were his personal views which have nothing to do with the party, both said. It appears Adhikari has taken up too much in his plate to belittle his intra-party opponents. The factions opposed to him had closed ranks after he chose to change the slogan of Prime Minister Modi.

The BJP does not yet seek to shed the tag of inclusiveness as stated in the Prime Minister's slogan, a senior leader said on condition of anonymity. And though Adhikari defeated TMC supremo, Mamata Banerjee at Nandigram election in 2021 polls, he is too small a fry to have any say in this matter, he added.

Ever since state unit chief and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar has been inducted as a minister, a demand for a change of leadership was in the air. But what could have been a smooth changeover has now taken an ugly turn.

With Adhikari's outburst, a leader of his choice is unlikely to be Majumdar's successor. The meeting of the state saffron unit to contemplate the causes of the poll reverse has turned out into opening of a can of worms. In his hurry to corner rival factions in the party, the leader of the Opposition had spoken in haste. He will have time to regret this. (IPA Service)