In a strategic move to quell rising anxieties within the influential Matua community, the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday deployed two of its senior leaders to Ranaghat. The area, where Matuas form a substantial part of the voter base, has seen growing discontent over fears of disenfranchisement.
Senior Leaders Address Key Community Concerns
The party tasked veteran leader Dilip Ghosh and state president Samik Bhattacharya with the crucial campaign. They directly addressed the Matua community, a group whose votes hold sway over nearly 80 assembly segments in the state, both directly and indirectly.
Samik Bhattacharya invoked the community's founding figures, Harichand and Guruchand Thakur, emphasizing their teachings of self-dignity. He made a direct appeal to the gathering, stating, "I am requesting you to fill out forms under the Citizenship Amendment Act. That will save you from any future complications." He framed the CAA as essential for securing the future not just of Matuas, but also of Chakmas, Buddhists, Namashudras, and caste Hindus. Bhattacharya concluded his address with a political call, urging the community to "say no to TMC this time."
Allegations of Misinformation and Promise of "Double-Engine" Govt
Dilip Ghosh, speaking at the rally, accused TMC leader Mamata Bala Thakur of misleading community members. "They instructed people not to fill out forms for CAA and SIR. They filled the forms themselves and secured their rights. They want to keep the people deprived of their rights," Ghosh alleged.
Addressing the gathering at Cooper's Camp, Ghosh linked the CAA to the legacy of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, promising a dignified life for those who fled religious persecution from Bangladesh. He asserted, "His promise is being fulfilled through the CAA. The promise cannot be fulfilled unless Bengal has a double-engine govt." Ghosh clarified the party's intent, saying, "We do not want to be voted into office as we are aspiring for ministries. We want to provide better governance."
Focus on Electoral Integrity and Accusations Against TMC
Ghosh also turned his focus to electoral rolls, claiming that the Summary Revision (SIR) process would lead to a cleansed voter list this time. He cited the deletion of 44,500 voter names in the Bhowanipore constituency as an example. "This year, there will not be any rigging or false voting. We will see if Trinamool can win despite that," he challenged.
Adding another layer to the attack, state president Samik Bhattacharya accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of insulting women through its flagship 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme, though he did not elaborate further on the specifics of the allegation.
The high-profile outreach underscores the critical importance of the Matua vote bank in West Bengal's political calculus. The BJP's direct messaging on CAA and citizenship security aims to counter the narrative of fear and uncertainty, positioning itself as the fulfiller of historical promises for the community.
