The death of a BJP worker and injuries suffered by a few other supporters of the party from the Rajbanshi community, allegedly during the December 7 Uttarkanya Abhiyan protest march, made both BJP and Trinamul leaders fight a vital perception battle ahead of Bengal polls.

Deceased Ulen Roy, a small tea grower hailing from Rajganj block of Jalpaiguri, injured Jogesh Roy of Alipurduar and Amardip Roy of Haldibari, are all Rajbanshis.

Of 54 Assembly seats in north Bengal, around 15 are reserved for SC candidates, with Rajbanshis in bulk. In at least 10 more seats, Rajbanshi votes play a decisive factor.

BJP, which is claiming that police pellets hit all three men, is using the community card to claim that Trinamul and the state government have time and again hurt the Rajbanshis.

“The state police have fired pellet guns during the protest which led to Ulen Roy’s death and left some others injured…the party will highlight how the Mamata Banerjee government fired pellets on Rajbanshis,” said Bapi Goswami, the Jalpaiguri district BJP president, adding the BJP had given financial aid to Ulen’s family and is taking care of the treatment of the injured.

Five BJP MPs from north Bengal have promised to take care of Roy’s family. On Friday, state BJP Rahul Sinha had been to his house, party sources said.

BJP leaders are also referring to the death of Debendra Nath Roy, the BJP MLA of Hemtabad in North Dinajpur and a Rajbanshi, found hanging earlier this year.

Though police and the CID have maintained that Roy killed himself over financial issues, BJP leaders have alleged murder.

Trinamul leader and tourism minister Gautam Deb rubbished the charges. “BJP is responsible for the unfortunate death of one of their supporters. Once things settle down, I will visit the victim’s village to speak with his family,” said the minister, also MLA of Dabgram-Fulbari where violence had erupted on Monday. Khageswar Roy, Trinamul MLA of Rajganj where Ulen’s house is located, asserted he would meet the family.

Next week, chief minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to address public meetings in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar with a high Rajbanshi concentration. “There are chances that the chief minister will counter the BJP’s current stoking of Rajbanshi sentiments,” said an insider.

He added that Trinamul would play the development card and highlight how during Mamata’s tenure, a university had been set up in Cooch Behar in the name of Panchanan Barma, the most revered statesman of the Rajbanshis, two language academies and a development and cultural board for the conservation and promotion of their language and culture.

“Also, our government has met the longstanding demand of former KLO militants and linkmen with jobs,” the Trinamul leader added.

Autopsy uncertain

The issue of second post-mortem of deceased BJP supporter Ulen Roy remained indecisive even on Friday.

The district and sessions court here cancelled the second-autopsy order issued by the chief judicial magistrate’s court on December 8 but also instructed the CJM court to hear the plea of Ulen’s sister Santibala within three days and issue an order. Santibala had pleaded for a second autopsy.

“The (district and sessions) court heard the case on Friday and cancelled the CJM court’s order. The court also ordered the CJM court to hear both parties (Santibala and the state) during next three days,” said Somnath Pal, a government lawyer.

“We don’t know whether to withdraw the case so that we can take the mortal remains of my brother for his last rites or wait for the next hearing,” Santibala said.

Additional reporting by our Jalpaiguri correspondent