Kolkata: Bengal BJP is set to step up its crackdown on alleged extortion by party workers, with national general secretary Sunil Bansal scheduled to meet the state leadership on Thursday and Friday amid growing unease over the “cut money” culture.The move comes days after state president Samik Bhattacharya warned of disciplinary action against workers allegedly seeking “protection money”. Several BJP netas have since spoken out against the growing “extortion culture” within the party.Jagaddal MLA and former IPS officer Rajesh Kumar on Tuesday said, “Many have joined the party after May 4 and that has started to create trouble for us. People have voted against criminal activities—whether it is satta or filling up ponds illegally. We have tried to stop illegal sand mining or extortion from the market places. If there is any fresh complaint, we will take action against that.”“There are people who have tortured party workers and tried to disrupt the counting process even during the polls, changed shirts and picked up BJP’s flag after results were out. These tatkal BJP workers are under the delusion of becoming a councillor or a panchayat member eventually,” said Bhattacharya.According to party sources, nearly 300 workers have been served notices for alleged anti-party activities, including extortion.Kumar reiterated the need for strict action, saying, “Cut money and corruption has to be stopped. We have to be equally alert about members who have joined after assembly poll results were out and those who are already our members. They need to be arrested.”State transport minister Arjun Singh said those accused of extortion were damaging the party and “will be expelled from the party”.State panchayat minister Dilip Ghosh said, “We should not forget the reason for changing the regime. Party workers need to stay away from them and provide relief to people.”
