The Bengal unit of the BJP is saddled with an identity-related problem ahead of Union home minister Amit Shah’s visit on Thursday as the demand for statehood in the Darjeeling hills has become louder.

B.P. Bajgain, the BJP’s Kurseong MLA, said that the party has been giving assurances for a long time and it was now time to deliver.

“The party has made promises on two issues. One is PPS (permanent political solution), which I understand is separation from Bengal in any form and the next is granting tribal status to left out (11) Gorkha communities, which can be easily fulfilled if there is political will….this is the time for delivery and not assurances,” said Bajgain.

Many BJP leaders have been talking about carving a north Bengal state. Bajgain obliquely supported it. “Separation from Bengal in whatever form that will also strengthen national security is what I am looking for. Our (Gorkhaland) demand is till the Sunkosh river (in Alipurduar).”

Bajgain said the region would be all ears to Shah’s Siliguri speech on Thursday.

Ananta Maharaj, a leader of the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples’ Association, with clout among the Rajbanshis, on Wednesday will reportedly meet Shah on Thursday in Sukna. Ananta was being assiduously wooed by senior BJP leaders for a meeting with Shah.

In February this year, he was seen sharing the dais with chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the birth anniversary celebrations of Chila Roy, an icon of Rajbanshis who is considered the fiercest warrior of the Cooch Behar royals.