West Bengal assembly elections: Matua factions push parties to give poll tickets to office bearers

KOLKATA: Anger over SIR deletions in North 24 Parganas and Nadia has prompted both the Trinamool- and BJP-aligned factions of the All India Matua Mahasangha (AIMM) to demand that their office-bearers be fielded as candidates. The factions are likely to meet on Sunday to discuss their political future.

While TMC and BJP have announced candidates in these Matua belts by relying on loyalists, the Mahasangha is seeking changes. The two factions have conveyed their demands to TMC's Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Bala Thakur and BJP Union minister Shantanu Thakur, who head the respective AIMM groups.

In the Matua belt of Bagdah, Bongaon North, Bongaon South and Gaighata, TMC has fielded sitting MLAs and netas, including Madhuparna Thakur, Biswajit Das, Rituparna Addhya and Narottam Biswas. While BJP is yet to name its Bagdah candidate, it has nominated sitting MLAs Ashoke Kirtaniya, Swapan Majumdar and Subrata Thakur from the other seats.

Matua functionaries expressed resentment over the exclusion of AIMM organisational representatives from the candidate lists. "We demand rights," said an AIMM leader, indicating that they may chart an independent course.

Sukesh Chowdhury, secretary of the Mamata Bala-led faction, said the community had long demanded that parties nominate candidates from among active Matua organisers. "We work tirelessly throughout the year for the welfare and development of the Matua community. Yet, those who have made little to no contribution for the community's development are being chosen as candidates," he said.

Sukhen Gain, secretary of the Shantanu-led faction, said they may consider forming a separate political platform, warning that the community may withdraw support unless parties field candidates from within the organisational structure in Matua-dominated areas.

Mamata Bala distanced herself from the development, saying she was not consulted. She noted that the decisions of the party and the Mahasangha were final. On the other hand, Gain alleged that candidates Kirtaniya and Majumdar were just "posing" as Matuas.

While Kirtaniya cited his association with the community to refute the charges, Majumdar accused Gain of attempting to blackmail the party after failing to secure a ticket.