The Trinamul leadership in north Bengal has accused the BJP of using identity-linked demands of some Rajbangshis and play the divisive card ahead of the 2023 panchayat polls.

The ruling party leadership, which is drawing up plans to campaign for the panchayat polls, has upped the ante against the saffron camp, citing two letters that the Centre recently sent the Kamtapur Progressive Party (KPP), one of the proponents of statehood, citing that two of its demands — inclusion of Kamtapuri (Rajbanshi) language under the eighth schedule of the Constitution and creation of Kamtapur state — are under consideration in various departments of the Union home ministry.

“The intention of the BJP is clear. The party earlier played with the sentiments of the Gorkhas.... Now, they are trying to woo the Rajbanshis as the rural polls are drawing near. The state government has recognised the language. As far as the other demand is concerned, our leaders have made it clear that all efforts would be put to abort any attempt to divide Bengal,” said Sourav Chakraborty, a state secretary of Trinamul.

According to sources, on October 12, two letters reached the KPP from the internal security division of the Union home ministry.

In one, it was said that the Centre is aware of the sentiments and requirements for the inclusion of other languages in the eighth schedule. “Such requests have to be considered keeping in view these sentiments and other relevant considerations,” it said.

In the second letter, the demand for a state was cited.

“The request for creation of Kamtapur state is to be examined in the CS (centre-state) division of this ministry. As such, a copy of the petition is being forwarded to the CS division for further necessary action,” it said.

A number of BJP legislators, who have got elected from the region have lent support to the statehood demand. Trinamul leaders, including chief minister Mamata Banerjee and party’s all-India general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, have unequivocally opposed it.

Mamata, during her recent visits, underscored that she wants Bengal to remain united and asked people to stay away from divisive forces.

Abhishek, on the other hand, has asserted to struggle till the last drop of his blood to stop any further partition of the state.

However, unlike Trinamul that could pass a clear missive that the party is together on the agenda, there are differences within the saffron camp on the issue.

“This is because most BJP leaders based in Bengal and even a section of central leaders believe that open advocacy of the demand for statehood can ruin the BJP’s prospects in Bengal. This is because there is a strong sentiment against any further division of the state among most of the population,” said a political observer.