Union ministers meet Anant Maharaj ahead of Modi’s Cooch Behar rally

Cooch Behar: Ahead of Narendra Modi’s scheduled public rally for the Assembly elections, a high-profile meeting between two Union ministers and Rajya Sabha MP Anant Maharaj has triggered political speculation in Cooch Behar.

On Friday, Union ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Bhupendra Yadav visited Maharaj’s residence in the Bad Geela area under Chakchaka Gram Panchayat, where they were accorded a grand welcome. The leaders held a closed-door meeting, the details of which remain undisclosed. While it has officially been termed a “courtesy call,” the timing and context of the visit have fueled considerable political debate.

The development is particularly significant given Maharaj’s strained relations with the local BJP leadership in recent months. He has publicly expressed dissent, including raising the issue of a separate state at various forums. Maharaj was recently conferred the Banga Bhushan by the West Bengal government, adding another dimension to his evolving political stance.

In a parallel development, the Trinamool Congress has fielded Harihar Das—considered a close associate of Maharaj—from the Sitalkuchi Assembly Constituency. The candidature was announced by the party’s National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, further intensifying political intrigue in the region. Banerjee, during the campaign, had claimed that Harihar Das is also Maharaj’s candidate.

Maharaj, a prominent figure among the Rajbanshi community, has historically commanded significant grassroots influence. His supporters were visibly present at major political rallies in the past, including during the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections, notably at gatherings addressed by the Prime Minister. With Modi set to kick off his campaign on April 5 from the Ras Mela grounds in Cooch Behar, questions are now being raised over whether Maharaj or his supporters will participate in the rally. The recent ministerial visit to his residence has only deepened the suspense surrounding his political positioning ahead of the polls.

Attempts to contact Maharaj for a comment were unsuccessful. BJP’s Cooch Behar district president Abhijit Barman declined to comment, stating he was occupied with election-related meetings.