BJP Leader Chandan Mondal Defects to Trinamool, Criticizes MLA Ashok Dinda in East Midnapore
In a significant political development in West Bengal, Chandan Mondal, a prominent BJP leader from Moyna in East Midnapore district, defected to the Trinamool Congress on Friday. The move has reignited longstanding tensions within the BJP ranks, particularly targeting MLA Ashok Dinda, whom Mondal labeled as an outsider to the region.
Defection and Immediate Criticism
Mondal, whose wife serves as a panchayat pradhan, formally joined the Trinamool Congress in a ceremony where he accepted the party flag from state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh. During the event, Mondal launched a scathing attack on MLA Ashok Dinda, accusing him of neglecting local issues.
"He (Dinda) has done little to give Moyna respite from its flood woes," Mondal stated, highlighting the annual flooding problems in the low-lying area. He further criticized Dinda for failing to address critical infrastructure and welfare issues over the past five years, including bad roads, lack of freshwater, and implementation gaps in schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar.
Background of the Political Rift
The defection underscores the "old versus new" conflict within the BJP's East Midnapore unit. Ashok Dinda, a former Indian cricketer, joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 assembly elections, similar to Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the Bengal assembly. This move sidelined Mondal, who was once considered a frontrunner for the Moyna assembly seat.
In the 2021 polls, Dinda successfully toppled the Trinamool Congress, which had held the seat for two consecutive terms, winning by a margin of 1,206 votes. Mondal expressed frustration over being overlooked, claiming, "The MLA doesn't even recognise local faces. I was the one managing his entire organisation."
Mondal's Local Claims and Dinda's Retort
Mondal emphasized his deep roots in Moyna, asserting that he has actively intervened to help residents, particularly women who missed out on Lakshmir Bhandar benefits. "I intervened to help many of them get their dues," he said, positioning himself as a grassroots leader in contrast to Dinda.
In response, Dinda dismissed Mondal's defection and aspirations. He pointed out that Mondal lost by 3,000 votes when fielded by the BJP in the 2023 Zilla Parishad elections. "One who cannot win a panchayat poll is now dreaming of a Trinamool ticket," Dinda remarked, adding that Mondal holds no elected position and is "nothing" in political terms. He sarcastically hoped the Trinamool would grant Mondal a ticket.
Trinamool's Welcome and Broader Implications
Chandrima Bhattacharya welcomed Mondal to the Trinamool Congress, describing him as a "son of the soil," which aligns with the party's emphasis on local representation. Kunal Ghosh hinted at more defections from the Adhikari stronghold of East Midnapore, stating, "This is merely the trailer," suggesting potential further political shifts in the region.
This defection highlights ongoing factionalism within the BJP in Bengal and could impact the party's strategy in East Midnapore, especially with upcoming elections. It also reflects broader issues of flood management and rural development in Moyna, which remain critical concerns for voters.
