3 of 4 new Bengal ministers from backward communities

Three out of four new central ministers from Bengal represent backward communities. John Barla is a tribal leader and key architect of BJP’s North Bengal expansion. He had recently demanded making North Bengal a Union territory. Santanu Thakur represents the Dalit Matua community, which migrated from Bangladesh. Coochbehar MP Nisith Pramanik is from the Rajbonshi community.

Barla began as a tea-garden worker in Terai-Dooars region, nearly two decades ago. Hailing from a tribal family, Barla has strong support base among tea garden workers of the region. Starting his political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad in 2007, his organisational skills drew the attention of the CPI-M. After taking charge as junior minister in minority affairs, Barla said, “I will work hard for the people of North Bengal. I am happy that I will be able to work for the tea garden workers in North Bengal.”

Bongaon MP Santanu Thakur, who took charge as junior minister of ports, shipping and waterways, belongs to Matua Thakurbari, the headquarters and religious centre of the community. He is the grandson of Matua matriarch Boro Maa. Inducting Thakur into the cabinet is a masterstroke, party insiders said. The community, with an approximate population of more than 2.5 crore has substantial influence in north and south Dinajpur.


Coochbehar MP Nisith Pramanik is the youngest in the ministry and represents Rajbonshis, another minority community in North Bengal. He is junior minister for home, youth and sports. “I am eager to work under Amit Shah’s guidance and hope together we can further the developmental works of PM Modi,” he said. His rise is significant as he was a Trinamool strongman and his name was associated with several arms smuggling related charges. BJP insiders claim that by giving him a berth, BJP has managed to stop his return to the Trinamool, which was a possibility.