Bangla Congress: Difference between revisions

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| governing_body = All-Bengal Bangla Congress Committee
| governing_body = All-Bengal Bangla Congress Committee
| founder = Bidhan Chandra Roy
| founder = Bidhan Chandra Roy
| founded = {{start date|1956|08|14}}         
| founded = {{start date|1956|01|03}}         
| registered = 5th January, 1968
| registered = 5th January, 1968
| predecessor = {{wpl|Indian National Congress}}
| predecessor = {{wpl|Indian National Congress}}
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| seats1 =  {{Infobox political party/seats|90|294|hex=#1E9FFD}}
| seats1 =  {{Infobox political party/seats|90|294|hex=#1E9FFD}}
| seats2_title = Members of PAs
| seats2_title = Members of PAs
| seats2 = {{Infobox political party/seats|251|742|hex=#1E9FFD}}
| seats2 = {{Infobox political party/seats|258|742|hex=#1E9FFD}}
| seats3_title = Members of MAs
| seats3_title = Members of MAs
| seats3 = {{Infobox political party/seats|2874|8745|hex=#1E9FFD}}  
| seats3 = {{Infobox political party/seats|3073|8745|hex=#1E9FFD}}  
| flag = [[File:BC flag.png|200px]]
| flag = [[File:BC flag.png|200px]]
| flag_title = Flag
| flag_title = Flag
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Established in 1956, it is the second oldest political party in Bengal, having split from the Bengali regional wing of the Indian National Congress. The party was the strongest electoral force since the first free elections in 1970, up until 1997, when the Ratnapur scandals caused public anger against the party-led government. The party has been the largest opposition party since then. It is one of the two largest parties in [[Bengaala]], with its main rival being the [[Communist Party of Bengal]]. The BC is currently led by Mridul Kumar Chaterjee.
Established in 1956, it is the second oldest political party in Bengal, having split from the Bengali regional wing of the Indian National Congress. The party was the strongest electoral force since the first free elections in 1970, up until 1997, when the Ratnapur scandals caused public anger against the party-led government. The party has been the largest opposition party since then. It is one of the two largest parties in [[Bengaala]], with its main rival being the [[Communist Party of Bengal]]. The BC is currently led by Mridul Kumar Chaterjee.
==History==
===Split from INC and foundation (1955-1956)===
Bengaala was for nearly a decade, rife in instability due to the rising desire for independence among Bengalis from the then-newly independent Indian state. The region was governed by a lieutenant general as an union territory, rather than a full state. A mass demonstration in 1955, spearheaded by both independentists and communists, led to military intervention by the Indian government, due to which a great number of protesters were killed. The ruling party {{wpl|Indian National Congress|INC}}} received heavy criticism for using force to quell the protesters. Bengali INC leader Bidhan Chandra Roy denounced the Indian state and the INC as "imperialist", and organised his own faction withing the Bengali regional wing of the INC. Roy was expelled due to anti-party activity in December 1955, and he subsequently formed the Bangla Congress in January 1956. The party was joined by the vast majority of the INC regional wing, as well as many non-communist pro-independence activists. The party adopted its constitution in March 1956, in which it envisioned a free, independent and liberal Bengali state.
===Independence struggle (1956-1970)===
The BC organised through political clubs and groups, and through trade unions, against the Indian state. The party remained underground for the first five years of 1960s. It appealed to the public through symbolic marches, rallies and newspaper journals, though the independence movement had largely fallen silent since the events of 1955. The party was heavily engaged in mass demonstrations of 1967-68, following the controversial decision of the government to merge Bengal with the neighbouring state of Bihar.

Revision as of 18:00, 6 November 2022

Bangla Congress

বাংলা কংগ্রেস
AbbreviationBC
LeaderMridul Kumar Chaterjee
PresidentPratip Sarkar
FounderBidhan Chandra Roy
FoundedJanuary 3, 1956 (1956-01-03)
Preceded byIndian National Congress
HeadquartersRasbihari Avenue, Kolkata
NewspaperJatiya Shakti (জাতীয় শক্তি)
Student wingBangla Students' Congress
Youth wingYouth Congress of Bengal
Women's wingWomens' Congress of Bengal
Membership (2019)958,841
Ideology
Political positionCentre-right to Right-wing
International affiliationLiberal International
Colors  Blue
Slogan"Democracy and Freedom!"
Members of NA
90 / 294
Members of PAs
258 / 742
Members of MAs
3,073 / 8,745
Flag
BC flag.png

The Bangla Congress (Bengali; বাংলা কংগ্রেস ; BC) is a liberal-conservative and right-wing political party in Bengaala.

Established in 1956, it is the second oldest political party in Bengal, having split from the Bengali regional wing of the Indian National Congress. The party was the strongest electoral force since the first free elections in 1970, up until 1997, when the Ratnapur scandals caused public anger against the party-led government. The party has been the largest opposition party since then. It is one of the two largest parties in Bengaala, with its main rival being the Communist Party of Bengal. The BC is currently led by Mridul Kumar Chaterjee.

History

Split from INC and foundation (1955-1956)

Bengaala was for nearly a decade, rife in instability due to the rising desire for independence among Bengalis from the then-newly independent Indian state. The region was governed by a lieutenant general as an union territory, rather than a full state. A mass demonstration in 1955, spearheaded by both independentists and communists, led to military intervention by the Indian government, due to which a great number of protesters were killed. The ruling party INC} received heavy criticism for using force to quell the protesters. Bengali INC leader Bidhan Chandra Roy denounced the Indian state and the INC as "imperialist", and organised his own faction withing the Bengali regional wing of the INC. Roy was expelled due to anti-party activity in December 1955, and he subsequently formed the Bangla Congress in January 1956. The party was joined by the vast majority of the INC regional wing, as well as many non-communist pro-independence activists. The party adopted its constitution in March 1956, in which it envisioned a free, independent and liberal Bengali state.

Independence struggle (1956-1970)

The BC organised through political clubs and groups, and through trade unions, against the Indian state. The party remained underground for the first five years of 1960s. It appealed to the public through symbolic marches, rallies and newspaper journals, though the independence movement had largely fallen silent since the events of 1955. The party was heavily engaged in mass demonstrations of 1967-68, following the controversial decision of the government to merge Bengal with the neighbouring state of Bihar.