Three candidates in fray for BJP district presidentship

SILCHAR, Dec 23: The election for the post of president of the Cachar district unit of the BJP is going to be held tomorrow. The Saffron party is all set to hold the election despite the fact that the party has been divided into groups. According to reports, three candidates are in fray for the post of the BJP district president.

A brief history of the formation of the BJP district unit shows a series of clashes and mud slinging among the party members since it came in a big way in Barak Valley in 1991. Party members Kabindra Purkayastha and Bimalangshu Roy led the party in the district and were phenomenal in the winning of both the Silchar and Karimganj Lok Sabha seats. But, the party soon lost its grip as both the leaders engaged themselves in ego clash until Roy died a few months back. This resulted in a deep trench among the grassroot workers and also led to the weakening of the party, sources said.

And in this backdrop, the Saffron party is all set to elect its district unit president with Kabindra Purkayastha fielding former principal of GC College Partha Sarathi Chanda against his brother Kirit Bhushan Purkayastha, a veteran BJP leader, for the post. Sources said Kabindra Purkayastha remained conspicuous by his absence in the district.

Observers are of the view that after the death of Bimalangshu Roy, Kabindra Purkayastha, who played a vital role in shaping the party not only in Barak Valley but also in Assam, has ample scope to lead the party but his decision to cast his son as an MP nominee without consulting senior party members earned the wrath of the party members.

Moreover, a section of party workers are apprehensive that if Chanda is elected as the party president, Kanad will become all powerful and have the final say in finalizing the party candidates for the 2011 Assembly election. THE SENTINEL