Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday warned Bharatiya Janata Party workers that any involvement in illegal or unlawful activities would invite strict action, asserting that indiscipline would not be tolerated within the party.
Speaking to reporters, Saha said there was no place for unlawful conduct in the BJP and that directions had been issued to take stern action against those found violating party discipline.
He said some party workers were not fully aware of the party’s functioning and needed to understand the expectations of the organisation and its leadership.
The Chief Minister said the image and reputation of the BJP would not be allowed to be tarnished by the actions of a few individuals. He added that the party would act firmly against those whose conduct violated the law or party norms.
Saha’s remarks came a day after a BJP leader was arrested in connection with alleged criminal activities. The ruling BJP on Sunday suspended Rajib Saha, president of the Barjala Mandal Committee under the Barjala Assembly constituency, with immediate effect.
In an official order, state BJP general secretary Amit Rakshit said that, as per the direction of the state president of the Tripura Pradesh BJP, Rajib Bhattacharjee, MP (Rajya Sabha), Rajib Saha had been placed under suspension following his alleged involvement in criminal activities and his arrest by police on January 24.
Sources said multiple complaints had been lodged against Rajib Saha for allegedly illegally collecting money from people, including those purchasing land in the Barjala area on the outskirts of Agartala.
Police said the BJP leader was arrested after a case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the bodyguard of a judicial officer.
Last week, Rajib Saha allegedly misbehaved with Tripura High Court Registrar (Administration, Planning and Head of Office) Sankar Lal Dutta and assaulted his bodyguard when the judicial officer visited the Barjala area to inspect a plot of land intended for purchase.
Dutta had earlier served as the District and Sessions Judge of Gomati district. The incident triggered political reactions in the state, with opposition parties criticising the ruling BJP over the matter.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Tripura BJP state committee cautioned its members against misrepresenting the party’s views or positions.
Without naming any individual, the party said it had come to its notice that a person was falsely introducing himself as a prospective state BJP president and visiting various districts and mandals to establish contact with party workers, thereby creating confusion and misinformation.
The party said steps were being taken to prevent such activities and to maintain organisational discipline.