With an eye on the upcoming panchayat polls in Bengal, the ruling TMC has decided to table two motions in the assembly – one against attempts to divide West Bengal and the other to recognise Sarna religion of the tribals.
Talking to reporters after an all-party meeting, which was boycotted by the BJP, state parliamentary affairs minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay on Tuesday said both the motions will be introduced in the assembly on February 13.
"Attempts have been made by the BJP and its associates to divide Bengal, especially North Bengal. We have to unite to save the state from the reactionary forces, who want to divide Bengal," he said.
North Bengal, with its eight districts including picturesque Darjeeling, is both economically important for West Bengal as it houses the money-minting tea, timber and tourism industries.
The place is strategically vital for the country for its Siliguri corridor, commonly known as 'chicken neck', as it connects the mainland with the North Eastern states.
The region, which shares its border with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, has witnessed violent statehood movements since the early eighties by various ethnic groups such as Gorkhas and Rajbanshis.
Over the last few years, several BJP lawmakers, including Alipurduar MP John Barla, have demanded that a Union territory be carved out of north Bengal.
According to TMC sources, the motion is aimed at unmasking the BJP’s intent.
"Some BJP leaders have openly demanded that North Bengal be carved out as a separate state. But the party leadership has maintained silence on the issue. Let’s see what the BJP has to say when the motion is tabled," a TMC MLA said.
Reacting to TMC's decision, BJP chief whip Manoj Tigga said the party would hold discussions over the motion during a meeting of MLAs, and take a call on its participation in the assembly debate.
"The BJP, as a party, doesn't support the division of West Bengal. If any of our leaders have said anything, they have done that in their personal capacity," he said.
The TMC, in its bid to reach out to the tribals, who are politically crucial in the districts of Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and parts of north Bengal, has also decided to bring in a motion in to recognise Sarna dharma.
"Tribals have long been demanding the recognition. The Centre has not paid heed to their request, but the West Bengal government will do its bit," Chattopadhyay said.
The BJP dubbed the move as “an effort to woo the Adivasis” ahead of the panchayat polls.
"It is an attempt to fool the tribals ahead of the panchayat polls in the state," Tigga said.
Tribal body Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan had last year staged a dharna in Ranchi demanding that Sarna dharma code be given a separate religion column in the census form.
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