The largest association of Nasya Sheikhs or Rajbanshi Muslims in north Bengal have sent a letter to Trinamul supremo Mamata Banerjee, requesting her to field at least five candidates from the community in various seats of north Bengal in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Representatives of the Uttarbanga Nasya Sheikh Unnayan Parishad — some 35 lakh Rajbanshi Muslims live in the region — have said that such a move is necessary to thwart forces such as the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) from eroding Trinamul’s minority vote bank.

The five Assembly seats that they have stated in their letter are Itahar (North Dinajpur), Harirampur (South Dinajpur), Chanchal (Malda), Tufanganj and Cooch Behar South (both Cooch Behar), said sources.

Bazlay Rehman, the president of the Parishad, said that Mamata had agreed to their demand of forming a development board for the community.

“We are with her and will extend all possible support to Trinamul. But considering the recent political developments in the state such as new political forces deciding to contest the elections, we feel it is necessary that at least five people from our community contest in the elections from various seats. This will help Trinamul,” Rehman said.

The ISF, headed by influential Furfura Sharif cleric-turned-politician Abbas Siddiqui, has forged an alliance with the Left that has decided to allow ISF to contest in 30 seats. The Congress has offered eight seats to the ISF but negotiations are still in progress.

On Sunday’s Brigade rally in Calcutta, Siddiqui’s mass appeal was noticed by all present there.

“Furthermore, the AIMIM headed by Asaduddin Owaisi has also announced that it will field candidates in minority-dominated areas of Bengal. These parties might try to draw support from people of our community if none from us is fielded in the elections. That is why we have sent the letter to Mamata Banerjee,” said another representative of the organisation.