Kolkata: With NCPI MPs attending NDA parliamentary meet and expressing differing opinions on whether or not to align with BJP, state BJP netas are still being cautious, trying to handle the Trinamool-turned-NCPI MPs without diluting the party’s core organisational structure.“Kolkata is around 1,500 km away from New Delhi,” reiterated Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday. While speaking of the distance earlier, Bhattacharya had said the journey is not a smooth ride and has “topographical challenges” on the route.While a section of NCPI MPs have offered active support to the BJP-led NDA in Parliament, the absence of three Murshidabad MPs raised eyebrows. According to sources, BJP seniors like Bhupender Yadav and Nishikant Dubey sounded a note of caution to the NCPI netas on Tuesday, saying that being part of an alliance needs clear political commitment sans mixed signals.Reacting to NCPI MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay’s remark on a possibility of an increase in the number of Bengal seats, Bhattacharya said on Wednesday, “2029 is still far off. First, there will be delimitation and then the number of seats will increase. Then an increased number of members will be able to contest. By then, much water will flow down the Ganga.”Former BJP state president Tathagata Roy was clear in suggesting that NCPI MPs must be kept away for as long as possible. “They are not aligned with BJP on ideological platforms. The central leadership will assess the situation and weigh political compulsions. It is good for the party as long as they are outside BJP,” he said.“Trinamool wanted to grab money. These MPs don’t have a chance to do that now. Now, they are trying to cosy up to BJP netas. They might try to enter BJP with ill intention,” Roy added.
