The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to face setbacks at the grassroots level in Kailashahar, as key leaders of the Dholiakandi Gram Panchayat have stepped down ahead of a no-confidence vote, deepening the ongoing crisis within the party.
In a significant political development, Panchayat President Reba Rani Nam Biswas and Vice-President Tofail Ahmed tendered their resignations on April 5 to Gournagar Block Development Officer (BDO) Nabarun Chakraborty. Their departure comes just three days before an official no-confidence vote scheduled for April 8, raising questions about the BJP’s internal stability.
The Dholiakandi Gram Panchayat, comprising 11 seats, came under BJP control after the 2024 panchayat elections, with the party winning seven seats and the Congress four. However, internal discord began surfacing within months of assuming office. Allegations of corruption, unilateral decision-making, and lack of transparency were levelled against the president and vice-president by their own party colleagues.
The situation escalated on March 3 when six panchayat members—four from the Congress and two from the BJP—jointly filed a no-confidence motion with Unakoti District Panchayat Officer David Halam. The officer subsequently issued a formal notification announcing the April 8 vote, requiring full attendance of all members.
Confirming the resignations, BDO Chakraborty stated that both leaders had cited personal reasons in their letters and submitted them voluntarily.
This episode adds to the BJP’s growing list of challenges in Kailashahar, where organizational strength appears to be waning following the appointment of a new Mandal president. Party insiders cite leadership issues and lack of coordination as key reasons for the widening discontent. Many local workers have reportedly distanced themselves from party programs, with some even boycotting official events.
Meanwhile, the Congress has been actively capitalizing on the BJP’s internal crisis. Led by MLA Birajit Sinha and district president Md. Badruzzaman, the party has held a series of community meetings where BJP members have crossed over to the Congress in increasing numbers.
Reliable sources suggest that more resignations may soon follow from BJP members in Rangauti Gram Panchayat, signaling further erosion of the party’s base in the region.
