Leaders of the Kamtapur Progressive Party (KPP), a political outfit with considerable clout among the Rajbanshis, have unequivocally opposed the recent demand for separate statehood for north Bengal raised by BJP MP and Union minister of state John Barla and some other elected representatives of the saffron camp.

The KPP also expressed their confidence in chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

“There is no question of supporting the demand of sep¬arate statehood raised by some BJP legislators. We believe it (the demand) is noth¬ing but a political gimmick and (we) will never stand by them (the legislators),” Chandan Singha, the KPP spokesperson, said here on Saturday.

He added that in 1969, the demand for a separate Kamtapur state had been first raised.

“In due course, our party was formed over two principal demands, separate statehood and recognition of the Kamtapuri language. A separate state for the Kamtapuri population will always be our aspiration but that does not mean we will stand by the BJP. More importantly, Mamata Banerjee has recognised our language in 2018. She has formed a language academy and is taking initiatives to introduce the language as a medium of instruction in schools. We have full confidence in her and we will continue to stand with her against this recent demand,” added Singha.

Such an assertion from the KPP, which is one of the proponents of the demand for sepa¬rate Kamtapur state for the Kamtapuri (Rajbanshi) popu¬lation of north Bengal, is expected to bolster the confidence of Trinamul that is vehemently against any parti¬tion of the state, said political observers.

“Leaders like John Barla and some others are trying to stoke the sentiments of Rajbanshis and some other communities by harping on separate statehood. At such a time, such assertions from the KPP should help Trinamul thwart the advocates of separate statehood and win the confidence of the Rajbanshis,” said an observer.

The KPP leaders, who held an organisational meeting in Maynaguri of Jalpaiguri on July 8, said they have restructured the party’s central committee, following the death of their founderpresident Atul Roy last month.

According to them, a 25-member committee has been formed at the meeting.

“Menoka Roy, our late president’s wife, has been selected as the new president of the party. Also, Amit, their son, has been included in the committee,” said a KPP leader.