Amid SIR, BJP Matua bloc sees first fissure with ‘third front’
Times of India | 3 November 2025
Kolkata: The BJP-backed faction of the All India Matua Mahasangha (AIMM) at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas is headed for a split days after the rollout of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bengal, with Gaighata BJP MLA Subrata Thakur announcing plans to launch his faction on Tuesday.
Subrata, who has been locked in a feud with younger brother Shantanu, a BJP MP and junior Union minister, said his organisation, too, would be known as AIMM and have the same registration number. "The official announcement will be made on Nov 4. The reasons behind this step will be explained that day," he told reporters.
He said he took the decision to "preserve his identity" within the Mahasangha. "When one's identity is constantly overshadowed, one must take steps to protect it," he said.
Subrata's faction would be the third among the Matuas — the other two being the ones led by Shantanu and their aunt Mamata Bala Thakur, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member. The MLA's move marks an escalation of the long-standing power struggle at Thakurbari — the community's spiritual and political nerve centre — at a time a large number of Matuas fear losing their voting rights because of the SIR.
The split assumes significance ahead of next year's assembly polls as Matuas are numerically strong enough to sway the results in a number of constituencies.
Reacting to Subrata's announcement, Mamata Bala said, "It's a family matter. But as the eldest son, Subrata has always been deprived of his due recognition in the family. When a family grows, there are bound to be divisions. The people will decide who represents the true Matua ideology."
When contacted, Shantanu declined to comment on his brother's move.
Thakurbari sources said tensions between Shantanu and Subrata have been simmering since August, when the brothers were involved in a public spat over the distribution of identity cards by the Mahasangha to Matuas.
The brothers have been organising separate camps to distribute the cards.
"Shantanu's supporters organised a camp near the Thakurbari Natmandir. Subrata opposed the move, accusing his brother of misusing the Mahasangha for political gains," a senior AIMM member said.
Subrata has accused Shantanu of "exploiting religious emotions for political mileage", while Shantanu has dismissed his brother's move as an outcome of "jealousy". Shantanu has also alleged that Subrata "is in touch with Trinamool". The division has split the family down the middle with mother Chhabi Rani supporting Subrata and father Manjul Krishna backing Shantanu.