Inner differences in the BJP have turned acute in Siliguri (organisational) district as more than 30 leaders of the party resigned from their respective posts in the past couple of days.

The leaders, party insiders said, are disgruntled over the selection of the new president of the district committee. Senior and old BJP workers have been denied berths in the committee at the behest of some relatively new entrants, including local MLA Shankar Ghosh, they have alleged.

On August 20, the state BJP announced the new committee of the organizational district comprising 22 members. Arun Mondal, party leader, was put in the president’s post. He replaced Anandamoy Barman, who is also the BJP MLA from Matigara-Naxalbari, an Assembly seat in Siliguri sub-division.

This led to disputes within the party and so far, 33 leaders, who had been working in different capacities, have resigned from their posts.

Among them include three vice-presidents and two former vice-presidents, two secretaries, and one former district secretary, the district president of Mahila Morcha, 10 leaders of Yuva Morcha, and 14 secretaries working in “mandals” or blocks.

“We have been with the party for the past 10 years and have delivered our responsibilities as office bearers while adhering to the party’s guidelines. But these days, some new entrants have started dictating us. It is difficult to work in such a manner and thus, many of us have resigned,” said a senior leader who has tendered his resignation.

Prasenjit Paul, a former vice-president who has stepped down, said it is an “internal affair” of the party.

“I will continue my association with the party,” he said.

Another senior leader, who has followed the suit, said Mondal, the new district president, is not competent enough to bear the responsibility of the post.

“It is because of us that BJP’s organisation has strengthened in the district. The former president had huge acceptance among party workers. We want someone competent to replace him,” he said.

Shikha Maitra, the former district president of BJP’s women's wing, said she is hopeful that the party leadership will delve into the reasons for their resignation.

“We too, want the issues to be resolved so that we can continue to augment our support as the Lok Sabha polls are ahead,” she said.

Such a move by over 30 functionaries has led to questions within the BJP as to whether the state leadership had adequate information about the party’s hierarchy and the performances of leaders in the district.

“The issue has to be addressed as it might have ramifications at the organizational level,” said a leader.