Kolkata, 21 February (H.S.):

Ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, a major and surprising development emerged in West Bengal politics. Ananta Maharaj, a BJP Rajya Sabha MP and prominent leader of the Rajbanshi community, was seen sharing the stage with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a Language Day event held at Amar Ekushey Udyan in Deshpriya Park. On Saturday, from the same stage, the Chief Minister honoured Ananta Maharaj with the Banga Vibhushan, one of the state's highest civilian honors.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee honored him with a dhoti and a memento, and extended her best wishes. Appearing on stage, Ananta Maharaj recited a poem written by Maharaja Chila Rai, the pioneer of the Rajbanshi community, in his mother tongue. His emphasis on mother tongue and ethnic identity from the Language Day stage is considered politically significant.

The relationship between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Ananta Maharaj is not entirely new. During her first visit to North Bengal after the Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister visited Ananta Maharaj's residence in Cooch Behar. Since then, speculation has swirled in political circles about their relationship. Ananta Maharaj, a prominent leader of the Greater Cooch Behar movement, supported the BJP's demand for a separate state, prompting the party to send him to the Rajya Sabha.

However, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejected the Greater Cooch Behar demand, Ananta Maharaj became disillusioned with the BJP, and the distance between the two grew. After winning the Cooch Behar seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, MP Jagdish Barma Basunia publicly stated that his victory was possible only because of Ananta Maharaj's support. Following this, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Ananta Maharaj's home to thank him.

Images of Ananta Maharaj sharing the stage with the Chief Minister at the Language Day event have sparked renewed debate in political circles. In his address on stage, Ananta Maharaj maintained a clear distance from Bengal, expressing his emotional solidarity with Bengal, but expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for receiving the Banga Vibhushan award.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Ananta Maharaj openly expressed his displeasure with the BJP. He alleged that North Bengal, especially the Koch and Rajbanshi communities, has faced neglect and humiliation for years. According to him, no concrete work has been done for the development of North Bengal and for the tribal communities.

Now, questions are being raised about whether Ananta Maharaj might join the All India Trinamool Congress before the assembly elections. Photos from the stage and his recent statements are fueling this speculation. This development is being seen as a sign of a major shift in North Bengal politics in an election year.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey