Raiganj MLA Krishna Kalyani quits BJP

In another jolt to the saffron party in North Bengal, BJP Raiganj MLA Krishna Kalyani quit the party on Friday. With Kalyani's resignation, the total number of BJP MLAs in the recently concluded assembly polls is down to 70 from 77. Grievances, functioning of the party in North Dinajpur are said to be the main reasons behind Kalyani's disillusionment. "After I became MLA, various district committees were changed but I was not informed. Committees were formed but I was kept in the dark. I went to Delhi in September and apprised the central leadership on how people are brought in the district committees without informing me. I have expressed my grievances to the central leadership. The central leadership had sought time till September 30," Kalyani told ET. "I have worked hard in strengthening the party's organization in North Dinajpur. Ahead of the assembly polls, around 4-5,000 people have joined BJP from Trinamool," he told ET.

Infighting and factional feud are the reasons for which the party is falling apart in North Bengal. Kalyani blamed former MoS Debasree Chaudhuri for his resignation and said working in such an atmosphere is impossible.

"I have joined politics for respect. On September 29, I received a showcause notice from an unknown number. It was an internal party matter, so I kept it confidential. However, Debasree Chaudhuri revealed it to the media. She has been conspiring against me, so I have called her a traitor," he said.