Political speculations arise as Mamata Banerjee meets BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj in Coochbehar

Kolkata: After winning the much-targeted Lok Sabha seat of Coochbehar, Trinamool Supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharj at his residence in Coochbehar, sparking speculations.

Ananta Maharaj is a representative of Rajbonshi community and has substantial influence over the Rajbonshi community. The meeting between the two holds special significance politically. However, Banerjee did not comment about the meeting.

“I am not in any political party. I have not contacted Trinamool or West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The Police Superintendent contacted me today morning and told me about the Chief Minister’s visit to my residence. It was a courtesy meeting. There was no political discussion,” Ananta Maharaj said, asking about the meeting.

“I am very happy that Banerjee came to my house,” Ananta Maharaj said. He welcomed Banerjee with a scarf and his followers were also present at Maharaj’s house to welcome the Chief Minister.

Maharaj’s comment about not belonging to any political party further sparked speculations as he is still a BJP Rajya Sabha MP. Insiders said Ananta Maharaj is unhappy with BJP Bengal leadership and had expressed his grievance ahead of Lok Sabha polls and sparking new political equations and murmurs that he may go to Trinamool Congress.

Ananta Maharaj has substantial influence on the Rajbonshi votebank and thus Banerjee is eyeing him ahead of the 2026 assembly polls in the state. After her victory in Lok Sabha polls, this is the first meeting of the Trinamool Congress Supremo.

BJP chief spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya said, “Our party has a certain ideological position. Ananta Maharaj is our elected Rajya Sabha MP. This is a courtesy. Beyond politics, he has a significant role.”

Meanwhile, the Bengal Chief Minister offered puja at Madan Mohan temple in Coochbehar and also held an internal party meeting in the district.

BJP's fact-finding team meets victims in Amtala
A four-member BJP Fact-Finding Committee met with victims of the alleged post-poll violence in Amtala in South 24 Parganas under Diamond Harbour Constituency and Sandeshkhali in Basirhat Constituency on Tuesday. The team consisted of former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, party MPs Brij Lal, and Kavita Patidar. The team also visited Coochbehar yesterday.

Prasad said, "Everywhere the same story can be heard. BJP workers beaten up. Mamata ji, this is your government. Women are being beaten up here. It's a very serious issue, Mamata ji, you should be ashamed. I would like to tell the police, our party workers have spoken about their plight. We will take it up with utmost seriousness at the national level."