TMC leader Rajib Banerjee held an hour-long meeting with Ananta Maharaj in Cooch Behar on Wednesday. Though both Banerjee and Maharaj declared it as a non-political meeting, political observers opine it is an attempt by the TMC to garner support from Maharaj who exercises considerable sway over the Rajbongshi voters in North Bengal.
At around 1 pm on Wednesday Banerjee arrived at the residence of the self-styled king of the Rajbongshi’s Ananta Maharaj in Kaljani on the outskirts of Cooch Behar town. There the two held an hour-long meeting. Later talking to media persons, Banerjee stated “It was a courtesy visit. I have been visiting North Bengal time and again but didn’t have the opportunity to meet Maharaj. Accompanied by the candidate from this area, I came to seek his blessings. We did not discuss politics.”
Incidentally, Ananta Maharaj alias Ananta Rai is also the supreme leader of Greater Cooch Behar People’s Association. He exercises considerable sway over Koch-Rajbongshi voters in the districts of North Bengal and even lower Assam.
This could be seen in the elections of 2019 and 2021. In February 2021 even Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Maharaj’s house in Assam. He is a proponent of the Greater Cooch Behar separate state or a Union Territory comprising districts of North Bengal. At times Ananata Maharaj has been seen campaigning for the BJP.
At present, there are talks doing the rounds that Maharaj has been offered a Rajya Sabha seat by the BJP.
However, in February 2022 Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had invited Maharaj to the birth anniversary celebrations of Bir Kila Rai. Later during Maharaj’s birth anniversary, bouquets had been sent to him by the TMc supremo.
“I didn’t know Rajib Banerjee well. He had come to meet me. I don’t campaign for either BJP or TMC. Anyone can come to meet me,” Maharaj said.
When questioned on the Rajya Sabha seat issue, Maharaj stated: “I am not aware of this. No one has discussed the matter with me.” Following the meeting that ended at around 2:10 pm, Banerjee embarked on an election campaign in Cooch Behar.