The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had repeatedly slammed academicians and social activists for associating with Maoists in the past. The saffron party had even asked many distinguished personalities to provide proof of their patriotism raking up Maoist-related issues. However, in an interesting twist, the BJP has joined hands with a Maoist-backed outfit Adivasi Samanvay Manch (ASM) during the recent West Bengal Panchayat polls.
BJP state president Dilip Ghosh accepted that they had taken the support of the group to keep Trinamool Congress at bay, The Hindu reported. “We did not put up candidates where they (ASM) did, as we both were fighting the TMC to limit vote division,” Ghosh had said.
"BJP’s State president Dilip Ghosh acknowledged they had seat adjustment with Maoist backed outfit, ASM. We didn't put up candidates where they did,as we both were fighting the TMC. We know them and may work together in future." BJP is now "Bharat Tukde Tukde gang". 😂
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) May 26, 2018
Mamata Banerjee had alleged that the BJP is “closely working” with the Maoists, which Ghosh denied. “In earlier elections, the TMC performed well in the area. Did they work with the Maoists?” Ghosh had asked.
This informal alliance helped the BJP perform better in tribal areas as compared to their state performance. They bagged 42 per cent seats in Jhargam which has 30 per cent of state’s tribal population, and 33 per cent seats in Purulia which has nearly 20 per cent of tribals. The party’s overall seats in the state otherwise went up to only 18 per cent at the gram panchayat level.
In Bengal rural polls, BJP joins hands with Maoist-backed outfit aka "Bharat Tukde Tukde" gang. The hypocrisy of BJP and its supporters is astounding. They hound academics & social activists who engage with Maoists but then join hands with them in Bengal. https://t.co/GWrQeWMnhQ
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) May 26, 2018