West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar’s recent request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to incorporate north Bengal into the Northeast has ignited a political storm. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has condemned the move, labeling the BJP as “anti-Bengal” and “anti-Bengali”. This proposal is not the first instance of BJP leaders advocating for the reorganization of north Bengal into a separate state or Union Territory (UT).
In a statement from Delhi on Wednesday, Majumdar, who is also the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Education, explained, “I met with the PM and handed over a presentation, highlighting the similarities between north Bengal and the Northeastern states. I requested him to incorporate north Bengal, a part of West Bengal, into the Northeast (states).” He argued that such a move would allow north Bengal to benefit from Central government schemes, leading to greater development. Majumdar expressed confidence that the state government would cooperate with the proposal.
On the same day in the Rajya Sabha, BJP MP Nagendra Ray, also known as Anant Maharaj, demanded a separate state of Cooch Behar to be carved out of north Bengal. Ray emphasized the need to rectify historical injustices faced by the people of Cooch Behar since Independence.
According to Indian Express, this is is not the first time BJP leaders have raised such demands. In 2021, then Alipurduars MP John Barla called for a separate state or UT to be created from north Bengal, citing years of neglect by state governments. Siliguri MLA Sankar Ghosh and Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma also made similar demands, advocating for the separation of Darjeeling Hills from West Bengal. BJP MP Saumitra Khan raised the demand for a separate statehood for the Jangalmahal area. In 2022, BJP MLAs Anandamay Barman and Shikha Chatterjee supported UT status for north Bengal.
According to Express, the BJP’s renewed demand comes after a disappointing performance in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, where the party secured 77 seats in a 294-member Assembly. By advocating for separate statehood, BJP leaders aim to strengthen their position ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won six seats from north Bengal, reflecting the region’s electoral importance.
Despite the state president’s demand, the BJP officially distanced itself from Majumdar’s proposal. Party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya stated, “The BJP believes that overall development of Bengal is possible by maintaining the geographic boundaries of the state. We don’t believe in dividing the state.” Bhattacharya criticized the Mamata Banerjee government for inadequate Budget allocation for north Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of conspiring to divide Bengal. Before leaving for Delhi to attend the NITI Aayog meeting, Banerjee said, “From ministers to BJP leaders, they have been conspiring to divide Bengal. They want to divide Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Assam… To divide Bengal means to divide India. We don’t support this.” TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray condemned Majumdar’s remarks, calling it a “secessionist move by a Union Minister” and asserting that north Bengal is an integral part of West Bengal.