Defying party whip, BJP members in Tripura defeated a Gram Pradhan of their own party in a no confidence motion. The incident took place at West Kuchainala Panchayat under Durgachowmuhani block in Kamalpur under Dhalai district on Friday.
According to local sources, the Gram Pradhan – Ruby Das – of BJP lost the floor test as six out of a total nine members voted against her today defying the party whip.
In another pricking happening for BJP in the state, yet another village headman of local West Kuchainala Panchayat under Durgachowmuhani Block lost the floor test as six out of nine members voted against her declining party whip.
Dissent against Gram Pradhan or other elected members is brewing in some areas – however, the worrying factor for the saffron party, known as a disciplined party, is adamancy of its members in defying party whip. In fact, within a year Pradhan of the West Kuchainala Panchayat had been changed due to resentment and disagreement, sources said.
In the most recent development, no trust motion was set against the incumbent Gram Pradhan Ruby Das on February 9 last. The floor test for the same was conducted on Friday (April 23, 2021).
Before floor test, rebel BJP members were informed about the party whip. However, there were no takers for whip and the rebels voted out the incumbent Gram Pradhan. Six out of nine members voted against Ruby Das and she lost her portfolio.
Notably, the same scenario prevailed in Durgachowmuhani Panchayat Samiti where a ‘no trust motion’ has been already set against the incumbent Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson. The onus is now on local as well as the State leaders to pacify the rebels and ensure a smooth victory in floor test – however, informed sources believe that after the West Kuchainala episode, it would be a hard game for leaders to tame the rebels.
In this connection, it may be mentioned, some BJP leaders publicly vented dissatisfaction against party nominated candidates for recently concluded TTAADC Polls. In retaliation to enforce discipline, Party expelled several rebels. However, West Kuchainala episode highlights that more needs to be done so that civic bodies run smoothly without inner-party squabbles.