BJP deploys Dilip, veteran joins Samik to allay fears in Matua belt
Times of India | 7 January 2026
Kolkata: To address the simmering discontent of the Matua community over disenfranchisement fears, Bengal BJP on Tuesday deputed veteran neta Dilip Ghosh and state president Samik Bhattacharya to campaign at Ranaghat, where Matuas constitute a significant portion of the electorate.
Addressing the Matua community, which has direct and indirect influence over nearly 80 assembly segments in the state, Bhattacharya said, "Harichand Guruchand Thakur taught self-dignity to the Matua community. I am requesting you to fill out forms under the Citizenship Amendment Act. That will save you from any future complications. CAA has to be implemented to secure the future of Matuas, Chakmas, Buddhists, Namashudras, and caste Hindus. You have to say no to TMC this time."
Alleging that Mamata Bala Thakur was misleading members of the community, Ghosh said at the rally: "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 told the gathering at Cooper's Camp: "Syama Prasad Mookerjee promised a dignified life to those who came from Bangladesh following religious persecutions. His promise is being fulfilled through the CAA. The promise cannot be fulfilled unless Bengal has a double-engine govt." He added, "We do not want to be voted into office as we are aspiring for ministries. We want to provide better governance."
Claiming that the electoral roll will be cleansed this time through SIR of electoral rolls, Ghosh said that the names of 44,500 voters were deleted in the Bhowanipore constituency. "This year, there will not be any rigging or false voting. We will see if Trinamool can win despite that," he said.
Bhattacharya said that Trinamool insulted women in the name of ‘Lakshmir Bhandar'.