At least two relatives of Jibon Singha are in the fray in the panchayat elections of Bengal, a state the self-styled chief of Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) wants divided to fulfill his longstanding demand.

One is his sister-in-law, Kalita Das. The other is his niece, Manika Das.

In 1995, Tamir Das, a youth of Uttar Haldibari village of Alipurduar district, had formed the KLO, a militant outfit to demand a separate Kamtapur state. In due course, Tamir changed his name to Jibon Singha. The KLO was banned by the Union home ministry under the UAPA Act in November 2014.

His relatives, however, seem to have faith in the democratic system and want to work for their village and Kumargram block on the Bengal-Assam border as elected panchayat members.

Kalita, the wife of Jibon's brother Samar, lives in Uttar Haldibari. She is contesting for a seat at the Kumargram panchayat samiti as an Independent backed by the Kamtapur Peoples’ Party (United). Her rivals are from Trinamul, the BJP and the RSP.

“Seniors of the family decided to field me as a candidate. I want to be a part of the panchayat system to carry out the development of my village and block,” said the homemaker in her 30s whose husband runs a food stall.

She refused to comment when asked about Singha’s recent remarks against Trinamul, the Left and the Congress and his tacit support to the BJP. Over the past few days, the KLO leader, who is believed to be in Assam, is fuming at the state government and Trinamul and asking people not to vote for the ruling party.

“We are aware that grounds are being prepared for peace talks (with the KLO) by the Centre. All we want is that my brother-in-law returns to the mainstream,” Kalita said.

Manika, Jibon's sister's daughter, is contesting for another seat in Kumargram as a KPP-backed Independent.

Both are campaigning every day and are confident of winning, as the KPP, which has some clout among Rajbanshis, is supporting them.

“We too want the Kamtapur state but democratically and not through violence. I aspire to see my uncle back home,” said Manika, who is in her mid-twenties.

Local Trinamul and BJP leaders said they are not perturbed by the duo. Manoj Oraon, the BJP MLA of Kumargram, and Prakash Chik Baraik, the district Trinamul president who is also from the same block, said that the presence of Independents wouldn't affect the panchayat poll results.

“We are getting an overwhelming response from people. They will vote for us,” said Oraon.

Baraik, on his part, underscored the development work in the area. “People vote for us because of the extensive development that the state government has done in the district,” he said.