The BJP central leadership has given the green light to use the picture of the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari alongside that of state unit chief Dilip Ghosh on party posters in Bengal.

The decision, seen as an elevation of Trinamul turncoat Suvendu’s status, has allegedly widened the rift between his and Ghosh’s camps. Many insiders are questioning the emergence of the MLA as a parallel power centre in Bengal BJP.

“Suvendu is on the lookout for opportunities to edge past old-timers like Dilipda. The nod to use his pictures on party posters alongside Dilipda will further strengthen Suvendu’s grip on the party,” a source in the BJP said.

The rift between the two came out in the open this month when Suvendu visited Delhi and met heavyweights, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah. Ghosh told journalists he had no clue about Suvendu’s Delhi trip. The Nandigram MLA said the state unit general secretary (organisation) Amitava Chakraborty was aware of it.

Dilip Ghosh. File photo

“He (Suvendu) has convinced Amitavada to approve his activities. This is how he wants to team up against Dilipda,” the BJP source said.

It is in this backdrop that party old-timers feel that the central leadership’s nod to Suvendu’s pictures on posters will further disturb the balance of power.

A senior BJP leader said the move to accommodate Suvendu’s picture on posters goes contrary to the party’s decision ahead of Bengal polls. To avoid the risk of feuds, the central unit had decided only on Ghosh’s picture on posters with those of central leaders.

Sources close to Suvendu said central leaders had a change of heart on the poster issue as the MLA was the leader of the Opposition.

“The leader of the Opposition is undoubtedly an important post. But it should be remembered that Dilipda is unhappy with Suvendu for going to Delhi without telling him. it proves Suvendu is trying to supersede Dilipda. At such a point, giving the former more focus could have been avoided,” a BJP veteran said.

State BJP general-secretary Sayantan Basu denied anything unusual in the use of the leader of Opposition’s picture on party posters and refuted talks of a rift between Ghosh and Suvendu. “Both the state party president and leader of the Opposition are equally important for us. They have equal contributions to make and designated responsibilities.”