Kolkata, 23 September (H.S.) : A massive political stir erupted in the Bidhannagar area on Tuesday night after Rajarhat-Newtown BJP MLA Pijush Kanoria made an unannounced appearance at a 'MLA Darbar' organized by State Minister and Bidhannagar BJP MLA Shardwat Mukhopadhyay. During the public meeting held in the Dum Dum Park area under Ward No. 28 of South Dum Dum Municipality, Kanoria openly pointed fingers at Minister Shardwat and raised sharp, vociferous questions concerning extortion and the syndicate network. The public face-off between two senior leaders of the ruling party has left local leadership deeply embarrassed.

The meeting was convened by Minister Shardwat Mukhopadhyay at around 7:45 PM on Tuesday to listen to the grievances of local residents. As the minister was reading out public complaints, MLA Pijush Kanoria arrived and took a seat among the common audience. Attempting to manage the situation, the minister invited him to the dais, introducing him as the MLA of a neighboring constituency. Kanoria immediately objected, stating that the minister could not address him as an MLA from another constituency.

Even after moving to the stage, the atmosphere remained heavily tense. Minister Shardwat read out several anonymous letters detailing complaints of syndicates and forced extortion in the locality. Responding to the grievances, the minister asserted that the state is now under a changed government and citizens are completely free to procure construction materials without intimidation. Taking a jibe at the previous regime, he assured that there is no need to fear anymore, reiterating the government's stance of neither taking bribes nor allowing anyone else to do so.

Immediately following the minister's remarks, MLA Pijush Kanoria took over the microphone and launched a direct attack. He claimed that he had never allowed anyone to run a syndicate in his presence. Kanoria openly questioned why criminal elements, whom he had kept out of the area for years, were being politically sheltered and brought back by people close to the minister. Citing an individual nicknamed 'Bhikhari', he demanded to know why someone who had once threatened locals with firearms was being allowed entry into the locality. Furthermore, he posed pointed questions to the municipal executive officer present at the venue regarding why a single individual was awarded a contract for 18 streetlights.

Local BJP cadres have expressed shock over the public fallout, and intense discussions are currently underway within party circles. While a section of local leaders views Kanoria's unsolicited defense of the syndicate issue as suspicious, Minister Shardwat maintained a measured stance, stating that he was merely interacting with his constituents and would clarify the matter if the party leadership sought an explanation. Meanwhile, Kanoria defended his aggressive stance, asserting that Dum Dum Park is his ancestral home and he will not allow its peace to be compromised under any circumstances.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh