Sri Vijaya Puram,9 May: The internal rift within the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands unit intensified further on Friday after senior BJP leader and Ward No. 6 representative Aziz Ur Rehman launched a sharp public attack on BJP State President Anil Kumar Tiwari, accusing him of political bias, internal manipulation and leading the party towards repeated electoral defeats in the islands.
Addressing the media amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his reported suspension from the party, Rehman stated that while he has remained fully committed to the BJP throughout his political career, his dissatisfaction lies specifically with the functioning and leadership style of Tiwari.
The latest remarks come days after Rehman publicly denied allegations of cross-voting in the SVPMC elections and questioned the basis of disciplinary action initiated against him.
In his fresh statement, Rehman alleged that Tiwari had recently claimed to have used political influence in Delhi to pressure senior administrative officials, including the Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioner, into allowing inspection of sealed ballot boxes to identify alleged cross-voting during the elections.
Calling such discussions “illegal and unconstitutional,” Rehman said any attempt to trace votes violates the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot process.
He further alleged that he had been deliberately targeted by Tiwari even before the latter assumed office as BJP State President, adding that the hostility intensified because he is a minority leader who won from Ward No. 6.
Expressing disappointment over his suspension, Rehman claimed that no inquiry was conducted before action was taken against him and that he was neither questioned nor given an opportunity to defend himself.
Describing the move as politically motivated, he accused the BJP state leadership of attempting to make him a scapegoat for the party’s recent electoral setbacks in the islands.
Rehman claimed that since Tiwari assumed charge as BJP State President on July 1, 2025, the party has faced continuous defeats, including the loss of a municipal by-election to an independent candidate despite deploying its full organisational machinery.
The remarks add to growing criticism being voiced within political circles over the BJP’s recent performance in local body politics, including defeats in the PBMC Chairperson election, PBMC SVP election and Zilla Parishad South Andaman election.
Rehman also directly challenged Tiwari to produce evidence supporting allegations of cross-voting against him. He declared that if any proof emerges against him, he would immediately resign from his elected post in Ward No. 6.
The BJP councillor further criticised the current State Committee constituted under Tiwari’s leadership, alleging that several members had remained politically inactive for years or had previously aligned with the Congress party.
He also accused the state leadership of sidelining loyal BJP workers and undermining the role of BJP Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray.
Expanding his criticism beyond internal party matters, Rehman termed Tiwari’s leadership a “complete failure,” alleging that basic public concerns such as electricity shortages and water supply issues remain unresolved despite the BJP being in power in the islands for several years.
He further alleged that both government employees and party workers are being intimidated or silenced for raising concerns.
Rehman also accused Tiwari of encouraging internal sabotage and manipulating electoral outcomes through cross-voting tactics. Recalling a previous Chairman election, he alleged that despite the BJP enjoying a majority, party members were influenced to vote against their own candidate, resulting in defeat.
The controversy once again brings focus on growing dissatisfaction among sections of BJP workers regarding the functioning of the party’s island leadership. Political observers have in recent months also pointed towards the perceived absence of the state leadership on several key island-centric issues, including the public debate surrounding the demand for a Central University versus a Deemed University in the islands.
Concluding his remarks, Rehman said he would continue exposing what he described as anti-party activities and fabricated narratives allegedly being spread under Tiwari’s leadership.
Maintaining that loyal workers were being unfairly targeted, he asserted that instead of disciplining grassroots leaders, it is Tiwari who should resign as BJP State President for repeatedly leading the party to electoral failures in the islands.
