BJP's Dilip Ghosh says switching allegiance doesn't always guarantee leadership positions. (File)
Amid a spate of defections from the ruling Trinamool Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal ahead of the assembly elections, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh dismissed apprehensions that the turncoats would be given more importance than the old timers, bringing relief to some of the party's leaders.
Switching political allegiance doesn't always guarantee leadership positions, he said.
Mr Ghosh, however, insisted that the party, in order to expand its base and come to power in Bengal, needs to induct people from other political outfits.
He also clarified that everybody has to abide by the rules and regulations of the party, be it the old-timers or the newcomers.
"The BJP is a growing force in West Bengal. Our organisation is getting strengthened with each passing day; people from other parties including the TMC are joining us. If we don't take people from other outfits, how will we grow?"
"No matter who joins the camp, I would like to add that everyone has to abide by the rules and regulations of the party. No one is above the party," he said, when asked about reports of infighting in certain pockets of the state over induction of leaders from the TMC.
According to BJP sources, several party cadres and the RSS -- the BJPs ideological parent -- are not very happy with the induction of certain leaders in the party.
"There could be complaints against some leaders, but one has to understand that not everyone who joins us will be given a position of leadership. In a democracy, numbers play an important role. We have to get the numbers (to come to power)," Mr Ghosh said.
Many senior TMC leaders, including political heavyweight Suvendu Adhikari, 14 other MLAs and a sitting MP, have switched over to the BJP in the last two years.
Three Left MLAs and four Congress legislators have also joined the BJP.
On Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's allegation that the BJP has turned into a "washing machine" that cleanses corrupt turncoats after inducting them, Mr Ghosh said taking someone into the party fold does not mean justifying their wrong deeds.
"We are not certifying or justifying anyone or anything. If someone is proven guilty, he or she will have to face the consequences. It's the TMC that believes in the culture of corruption. In our society, a section of people are into politics, and wherever this section goes, that party grows from strength to strength. If there are some politicians who are willing to join us, we will welcome them. Law, on the other hand, will take its own course," he said.
Mr Ghosh, however, maintained that the party has put in place a mechanism to look into the profile of cadres and workers before inducting them.
"We are not here to judge anyone. But that doesn't mean we will induct each and every one. There is a screening process and everybody has to go through it. We can never deliver good governance if we don't come to power. For that, we need to expand our base," he said.
Mr Ghosh assured the old-timers that they have nothing to worry about, as each of them will be accommodated according to their abilities.
Referring to the "outsider versus insider" debate in West Bengal, Ghosh said the TMC has raked up the issue as it has nothing else to talk about.
"The TMC, after a decade in power in the state, has nothing to talk about, it seems. Ours is a national party, and our leaders will come here to assist us. But those who are fighting elections or are working at the grassroots level are residents of this state. So the allegations are all baseless," he added.
Expressing confidence that the BJP will come to power with more than two-thirds majority, Mr Ghosh said the party would draft a road map for the development of the state.
"In states where we were in opposition, we chose our chief ministerial candidate after winning the elections. Our party believes in collective leadership. Naming a chief ministerial candidate is not important," he said.
Asked if he would take up the challenge if the party anoints him as its chief ministerial face, Mr Ghosh said he is a loyal soldier of the BJP, and has always taken up all responsibilities given to him.
"When I was asked to become the state president of the party, I accepted it. I worked hard... When I was asked to contest for an MLA or an MP post, I agreed. Whatever responsibility the party assigns to me, I will perform my duty diligently," he said.