Bengal BJP issues showcause notices to 4 leaders over Purulia health officer attack
Synopsis
West Bengal BJP has moved against four of its own leaders in Purulia after they allegedly harassed a government health officer — intimidating him, using abusive language, and obstructing official duties. The action, taken after Assembly election results, signals the state unit's effort to project internal accountability, but the accused are already pushing back.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal BJP issued showcause notices to four leaders on 20 May 2025 over alleged harassment of a health official in Purulia .
The incident occurred on 12 May at Pathardi Health Centre , Baghmundi block , Purulia district.
Notices served to Rakesh Mahato , Vijaymohan Singh , Arun Chandra Majhi , and Mithun Kumar .
All four have been barred from party work and must submit their explanations within seven days .
Action taken on instructions of state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya .
Rakesh Mahato admitted to a heated argument but denied harassing the health officer.
The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued showcause notices to four party leaders allegedly involved in the harassment of a health official at a government health centre in Purulia district, the party confirmed on Wednesday, 20 May. The state leadership described the incident as 'shameful' and has barred all four from participating in party activities pending their response.
What Happened in Purulia
On 12 May, BJP leaders were accused of harassing the Block Medical Officer of Health (BMOH) of Pathardi Health Centre in Baghmundi block of Purulia district. According to reports, the leaders confronted the health officer over why maternity patients from Baghmundi were being advised to shift to a hospital in another state — a grievance that allegedly escalated into intimidation, abusive language, and physical harassment.
The incident triggered a political uproar in the district and drew attention from the state party leadership, particularly after the West Bengal Assembly election results were declared.
Who Has Been Served Notices
Rakesh Mahato, a member of the Purulia Zilla Parishad and convener of BJP's Baghmundi block unit, has confirmed receiving a showcause letter. Notices have also been served to Baghmundi block co-convener Vijaymohan Singh, Mandal-4 president Arun Chandra Majhi, and Yuva Morcha president Mithun Kumar.
The letters cite allegations of intimidation of health officials, use of abusive language, physical harassment, and obstruction of government work — all categorised by the party as anti-party activities.
What the Party Said
The notices were issued on the recommendation of the BJP disciplinary committee and on the instructions of state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya. All four leaders have been asked to explain their conduct within seven days.
BJP Purulia district president Shankar Mahato declined to elaborate, saying, 'The state leadership has taken a decision. I will not comment on this. It is purely a party matter.'
Leaders' Response
None of the four served with notices agreed to make a formal statement. However, Rakesh Mahato maintained that he had visited the health centre to raise concerns about its poor condition. He acknowledged that a heated argument took place but denied any harassment of the official.
The three others — Vijaymohan Singh, Arun Chandra Majhi, and Mithun Kumar — did not respond to queries. With the seven-day window now running, the party's next disciplinary step will depend on whether the explanations are deemed satisfactory by the state leadership.
Point of View
Not before, the Assembly election results — raises a pointed question: would the party have moved at all had electoral outcomes been different? Internal accountability in Indian political parties is often contingent on political cost, not principle. The BJP's framing of the incident as 'anti-party activity' rather than a law-and-order matter is also telling; it keeps the affair within party channels and away from police scrutiny. Whether the seven-day notice translates into meaningful consequences or quietly fades will be the real test of Samik Bhattacharya's stated commitment to discipline.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bengal BJP issue showcause notices to four leaders?
The BJP's West Bengal unit issued showcause notices to four leaders over their alleged harassment of the Block Medical Officer of Health at Pathardi Health Centre in Purulia on 12 May. The party cited intimidation, abusive language, physical harassment, and obstruction of government work as grounds for the action.
Who are the four BJP leaders served with showcause notices?
The four leaders are Rakesh Mahato (Purulia Zilla Parishad member and Baghmundi block convener), Vijaymohan Singh (block co-convener), Arun Chandra Majhi (Mandal-4 president), and Mithun Kumar (Yuva Morcha president).
What punishment have the four leaders received so far?
All four have been barred from participating in party activities for the time being. They have been given seven days to submit a written explanation of their conduct to the party.
What triggered the confrontation at the Purulia health centre?
According to reports, the leaders confronted the Block Medical Officer of Health over why maternity patients from Baghmundi were being referred to a hospital in another state. The dispute allegedly escalated into harassment and obstruction of official duties.
Who ordered the disciplinary action against the four BJP leaders?
The showcause notices were issued on the recommendation of the BJP disciplinary committee and on the direct instructions of West Bengal BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya.
