The chief of the West Bengal BJP unit has distanced himself from the senior party leaders who have recently criticised Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee.
A few days ago, BJP national secretary and a leader from West Bengal Rahul Sinha reportedly said, "It seems marrying a second time helps in getting Nobel Prize."
Piyush Goyal, a senior minister in the Narendra Modi cabinet who is known to be an intellectual in the party, came out strongly against Banerjee, saying the economist's theory was rejected by the people of India.
The Nobel Committee had believed Banerjee's study helps around 5 million children in India.
BJP leaders, who defended Goyal's statement against Banerjee, said the Union railways and corporate affairs minister wanted to mean that the economist had fathered the idea of the Congress party's NYAY scheme before the Lok Sabha election this year; despite this, the BJP had returned to power with a thumping majority in the polls.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, shortly after winning the Nobel Prize, Banerjee had said, "I did not conceptualise the programme (NYAY) but only gave information to them (Congress). In fact, I did not give them any advice. I gave them information related to how much money was required for the programme and how that could be arranged."
Dilip Ghosh, West Bengal BJP president, however, said, "Abhijit Banerjee is our pride. He has lot to contribute for our country's development. We are going to take his help."
Ghosh's remarks shows that there is a great deal of internal strife in the BJP—between the 'hardcores' and 'liberals'—over Banerjee's political views, which are perceived as being left liberal.
That Ghosh is a former senior leader of the RSS implies his views are seen as the viewpoint of Nagpur, not of Delhi.
Another BJP intellectual said, "Actually, many people make adverse comments just to appease the RSS or prime minister or party president. They know nothing about the RSS. A true RSS man like Dilip da knows the pulse of the RSS."
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The statements come even as confirmation has emerged Banerjee will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22 (Tuesday).
Sources said the prime minister would clear all shadows of doubt then and would discuss developments of India's rural hinterland with Banerjee.
"The PM knows him from his Gujarat days. And Banerjee is not a Congress man," said a BJP leader with a smile.