Dilip Ghosh, senior BJP leader and former state president, has come under fire from within his own party after attending the inauguration of the Jagannath Dham temple in Digha on Wednesday — an event organised by the state government — where he interacted with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
On Thursday morning, Ghosh made his stand clear: “I may leave politics, but I will not leave the BJP.”
The controversy stems from Ghosh being the only opposition leader present at the temple inauguration, which saw no participation from other BJP figures following a party directive.
Their absence was in protest against the alleged targeting of Hindus in the Murshidabad unrest and incidents of temple vandalism across Bengal. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar clarified that the party had collectively decided to boycott the inauguration. “Attending it would mean ignoring those atrocities. The party does not endorse Ghosh’s temple visit,” he said.
Ghosh’s decision to attend regardless has triggered speculation and sharp criticism.
Among the critics was Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who refrained from naming Ghosh directly but made pointed remarks: “I don’t respond to anyone’s personal choices — be it their walking style, work style, or emotional dramas. I won’t comment now or in the future.”
This echoed the tone Suvendu used during Ghosh’s recent wedding.
Ghosh, without naming Suvendu, responded strongly.
“Those giving character certificates today are the ones who grew up in Mamata Banerjee’s lap and ate the leftovers of Kalighat, where the Chief Minister’s residence is located. Now they are feasting on the BJP’s plate and daring to question my integrity,” he said, clearly targeting Suvendu, who joined the BJP from the Trinamool Congress in 2020 ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections.
In his defence, Ghosh invoked the political courtesy upheld by BJP stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi.
“Our former Prime Minister went to Kalighat to touch Mamata Banerjee’s mother’s feet. And when Modi went to Nawaz Sharif’s family wedding in Pakistan, it was without protocol — because the BJP believes in courtesy,” he said.
However, Ghosh emphasised that courtesy does not imply weakness. “After Vajpayee returned from Pakistan, the Kargil war happened. We fought and won.
After Modi’s visit, Pathankot and Pulwama happened, but we responded with surgical strikes. That’s the BJP I know,” he said, stressing the party’s balance between decency and decisiveness.
Addressing speculation of a possible switch to Trinamool, Ghosh dismissed the rumours, blaming a “bad culture” within the BJP for the party’s recent setbacks.
“BJP didn’t start in 2021. During my tenure, 257 karyakartas were martyred and we won 77 seats. Today, a dozen MLAs and even an MP have left us,” he said, indirectly pointing fingers at Majumdar’s leadership.
He also responded to criticism from Bishnupur MP Soumitra Khan, who had accused Ghosh of moving from a ‘tyagi’ (self-sacrificing leader) to a ‘bhogi’ (indulgent one). Ghosh fired back: “Those with four marriages and 14 girlfriends, who lead double lives — they’re calling me a bhogi?” he retorted.
Reasserting his commitment to the BJP, Ghosh said, “Some may want me to leave to create space, but that won’t happen. I despise that kind of politics. This fight will continue until political change comes to Bengal.”
Ending his statement with a characteristic punch, Ghosh declared, “If you want to say something, come to the streets. I’ve always been on the street and always will be.”
The growing tension within the Bengal BJP over ideological direction, internal leadership conflicts, and public image continues to play out — with Ghosh’s temple visit becoming the latest flashpoint.
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