Bengal: BJP steps up Matua community outreach as Assembly polls near

Kolkata: The tussle between the BJP and Trinamool to woo the Matua community ahead of the assembly elections has notched up with top BJP leaders engaging with them and addressing their grievances regarding SIR-related hearings. Union minister of state and Matua Mahasangh chief Santanu Thakur, along with Matua leaders, met President Droupadi Murmu and discussed their social and economic development. A political rally has been organised in the Matua heartland of Bongaon by LoP Suvendu Adhikari and other Matua MLAs –– all part of the BJP’s initiatives to consolidate the community’s votes.

Shantanu Thakur has invited the President to Thakurnagar. “I have spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the CAA and SIR issue. He has assured all help,” he said.

Adhikari proposed the consolidation of Hindus to save Bengal and prevent a Bangladesh-like situation where Hindu minorities are being killed. Adhikari, during a rally at Bongaon on Wednesday, assured the Matuas that all help would be provided to the persecuted religious community as assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.


The LoP told Matuas, “You should go to the hearing if you receive notice. Those who are over 85 years or have physical disability, will have their hearing done at their homes. If your names are deleted by the ERO, the Matuas can apply to the DEOs and, if not accepted, they can apply to the CEO in a proper format. No one will touch the Hindus refugees. The Matua community must stay together.”

“At present, over 1,000 CAA certificates have been given. Altogether, 60,000 people have applied for CAA. Hindu minorities persecuted in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries can apply for CAA. The Trinamool government has misled people and opposed CAA. Why has the CM opposed them and prevented people from applying for CAA? I have informed the Union Home Minister to fast-track the CAA process,” Adhikari said.

“Bring in a government which will work for the benefit of Matuas. I promise that the names of Matuas will not be deleted from the voters’ list and no Rohingya Muslims’ names will be spared,” he added.

Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “In the name of SIR, BJP has damaged the interests of the Matua community.”

New BJP State Committee

BJP has announced a 34-member state committee, led by Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, who has already been elected as state president last year. This includes 12 vice-presidents, five general secretaries, 12 secretaries, a treasurer, two joint treasurers, an office secretary, and a joint office secretary. Some prominent names among the 12 vice-presidents include former MP and union minister Nishith Pramanik, fashion designer-turned-politician and party legislator, Agnimitra Paul, party Lok Sabha member, Manoj Tigga, party legislator, Dipak Burman among others. EOM words