Controversy over the appointment and subsequent withdrawal of representatives connected to police stations and hospitals; Congress leader Prasenjit Paitundi makes serious allegations against BJP
Asansol: A political controversy has intensified in Asansol, West Bengal, over a purported viral letter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress has raised serious questions against the BJP regarding a letter reportedly issued in the name and on the letterhead of Somnath Mandal, president of South Mandal-1 of the Asansol Organizational District BJP. However, Krishnendu Mukherjee, BJP MLA from Asansol North assembly constituency, has termed this letter entirely fake.
The viral letter claimed the appointment of representatives by the BJP regarding organizational responsibilities related to police stations and hospitals, and the subsequent withdrawal of those responsibilities. A seal is also visible on the letter, which is being rapidly circulated on social media.
It is reported that the purported notice, issued on September 5, 2026, stated that the names and responsibilities of individuals related to police stations and hospitals that were announced earlier are being withdrawn with immediate effect. According to the letter, workers who previously received responsibilities will no longer be considered authorized representatives of the organization to coordinate with the concerned police station or hospital.
Earlier information that surfaced had claimed the names of different BJP representatives for Asansol South PP and Hirapur police station. The names of Uttam Karmakar, Anup Singh, and Rahul Roy were stated for Asansol South PP, while Arun Bouri, Kajal Chakraborty, and Rohit Keura came to the fore as representatives related to Hirapur police station.
The purported appointment notices claimed that these representatives would conduct necessary communication and coordination with the concerned police unit on behalf of Asansol South Mandal-1 and represent the people of the Mandal.
However, a purportedly later-issued letter spoke of withdrawing all these responsibilities. This has intensified political rhetoric.
Congress leader targets BJP
Congress leader Prasenjit Paitundi launched a sharp attack on the BJP over this entire matter. He questioned who gave a Mandal president the right to run a police station or interfere in the functioning of the police.
Making allegations, Prasenjit Paitundi asked whether the BJP wants to establish a police state. He claimed that political influence over the police has increased since the evening of the 4th, alleging that the police have taken off the Trinamool jersey and worn the BJP gamchha (scarf).
The Congress leader also alleged that some officers are working according to the constitution and perhaps that is why some people in the BJP are trying to control them.
He said that by putting a BJP gamchha around the neck and making a person sit next to police officials in a police station, the police system functioning under the constitution cannot be changed.
Prasenjit Paitundi also raised questions regarding hospitals. He said that raising patients' problems in hospitals, arranging blood, the need for operations, and bringing to light issues like the shortage of doctors are the rights of common citizens. For this, there is no need to give special rights to any person with a BJP flag or gamchha.
He said that common people can go to the police station for their safety and go to the hospital to demand health facilities. This is their constitutional right.
The Congress leader further alleged that earlier there was CPI(M) rule and after that Trinamool Congress government for a long time, but such a system was not seen before. According to him, after coming to power, the BJP is trying to establish a fresh level of control at the local level.
Questions raised on siphoning and alleged extortion
During the conversation, Prasenjit Paitundi also mentioned allegations related to alleged 'siphoning' and extortion. Taking some names, he questioned the BJP leadership about what the alleged receipt of responsibility from above means.
He demanded the top BJP leadership clarify the alleged instructions and questioned whether such people received any instructions from the party office or senior leaders.
However, all these allegations are political claims by the Congress leader, which have not been independently verified based on this report.
BJP MLA says viral letter is fake
On the other hand, Krishnendu Mukherjee, BJP MLA from Asansol North assembly constituency, termed the viral letter completely fake. He said that he knows Somnath Mandal, the BJP president of Asansol South Mandal-1, very closely and according to him, Somnath Mandal cannot do any such thing.
The BJP MLA alleged that someone used Somnath Mandal's name and post to prepare a fake letter and viralized it on social media. He said that the objective is to defame a hardworking and dedicated BJP worker and ruin the party's image.
Krishnendu Mukherjee said that the BJP neither engages in such activities nor encourages such acts. He indicated that such fake material is being circulated on social media with the aim of damaging the image of party workers and the organization.
One viral letter, many questions
The core of the entire controversy has now become the question of who actually issued the letter that went viral on social media, whether it is an official document or if someone purportedly misused the BJP Mandal president's name and letterhead.
On one hand, based on this letter, Congress leaders are accusing the BJP of political interference in the police and administrative system. On the other hand, the BJP MLA is calling it fake and terming it a conspiracy to defame the party and Mandal president Somnath Mandal.
In such a situation, verifying the reality of the letter, the seal on it, and the authenticity of the signature/authorization has become crucial. If the letter is fake, the question of action against the person who prepared and circulated it on social media will arise. Meanwhile, if the letter is found to be official, serious administrative and political questions regarding the alleged authority to appoint representatives connected to police stations and hospitals could be raised.
Currently, the BJP and the opposition are face-to-face over the viral letter in Asansol, and the matter is continuously gaining political momentum.
