Abhishek targets Modi, BJP over ‘unkept promises’, woos Rajbanshis
The Statesman | 8 April 2026
Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Cooch Behar, Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp counterattack, accusing the BJP of exploiting religion and failing the Rajbanshi community.
Campaigning in Natabari and Tufanganj in support of party candidates, Banerjee took a swipe at Modi, saying: “Those who politicise religion addressed a rally at the Ras Mela ground but did not even consider visiting the nearby Madanmohan temple.”
Without naming Union home minister Amit Shah, he alleged that promises made to the Rajbanshi community remain unfulfilled. He cited assurances such as the Narayani Battalion, a training centre in the name of Chilarai, a museum for Thakur Panchanan Barma, installation of Chilarai’s statue, Rajbanshi schools and a Central university ~ “none of which materialised.”
Highlighting the state government’s initiatives under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said West Bengal had written to the Centre on 19 February, seeking inclusion of the Rajbanshi language in the Eighth Schedule.
Banerjee further accused the BJP of insulting Rajbanshi people by branding them “Bangladeshi”, alleging that many faced harassment in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh for speaking Bengali.
Referring to demonetisation and other measures, he said people were repeatedly made to stand in queues and urged voters to “give a fitting reply on April 23.”
Warning of alleged BJP tactics, he said: “They will try to intimidate and offer money before polls. Take the money, it is yours but vote for the Trinamul Congress.”
He also termed BJP’s Natabari candidate Girija Shankar Roy an “outsider” and backed TMC’s Shailendra Nath Barman, while promising a blood bank in Tufanganj if demanded by party candidate Shib Shankar.