Abhishek pits UCC push against Kurmali language inclusion delay in Junglemahal
The Statesman | 17 April 2026
Casting the electoral battle in Junglemahal as a clash between cultural assertion and Central imposition, Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday placed the twin issues of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and the pending inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule at the heart of his campaign, accusing the BJP-led Centre of attempting to “impose uniformity” while neglecting long-standing linguistic and tribal aspirations.
Addressing a sweltering midday rally in Gopiballavpur, Mr Banerjee alleged that while the Union government is pushing for a Uniform Civil Code that could override local customs and traditions, it has failed to act on the Mamata Banerjee government’s February appeal to grant constitutional recognition to Kurmali ~ an issue he framed as emblematic of the Centre’s “selective priorities” in dealing with marginalised communities.
The speech marked a calibrated shift in the Trinamul’s campaign in Jhargram ~ from a purely welfare-driven narrative to one that fuses development with ethnic identity and political dignity. By invoking the Kurmi question, Mr Banerjee sought to counter the BJP’s growing outreach among segments of the community, accusing its local leadership of “exploiting emotions” without delivering tangible outcomes.
Drawing on local imagery, he remarked that just as forests host different trees and flowers, governance too must respect diversity rather than enforce uniformity.
At the same time, he reinforced the party’s core electoral plank, its expansive welfare architecture, contrasting it sharply with what he described as the Centre’s record of “deprivation and price rise.” Listing schemes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Krishak Bandhu and youth assistance, Mr Banerjee claimed that nearly 70,000 women in the constituency benefit from direct cash transfers, while thousands of farmers and youths receive state support. He juxtaposed this with rising costs of essential commodities and fuel under the Narendra Modi government, framing the election as a choice between “economic relief and economic strain.”
In a combative tone, the Trinamul leader threw an open challenge for a public “report card debate,” inviting BJP leaders to present their record of governance in the region over the past decade. “Fix the venue, fix the time, call the media ~ I will come with our report card,” he said, signalling confidence in the state government’s development claims in a region once marked by acute backwardness.
The rally also underscored the party’s attempt to retain its grip over Junglemahal by highlighting infrastructure expansion since 2011, from roads and drinking water projects to healthcare facilities while reminding voters of the area’s past deprivation. Mr Banerjee repeatedly invoked the pre-2011 socio-economic indicators of Gopiballavpur to reinforce the narrative of transformation under Trinamul rule.
However, beyond statistics and schemes, the political messaging remained sharply polarised. Accusing the BJP of divisive politics along ethnic and religious lines, Mr Banerjee urged voters to deliver a decisive mandate that would “send a message to Delhi,” framing the contest as one of regional assertion against external control.
With temperatures soaring and the election battle intensifying, the Gopiballavpur rally offered a clear glimpse into Trinamul’s evolving strategy in the tribal belt ~ marrying welfare delivery with identity politics, and converting unresolved cultural demands into potent electoral weapons ahead of the polls.