Rajbangshi push by CM

MAIN UDDIN CHISTI, TT,  Jul 11, 2018, Changrabandha: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday again played the ethnic political card to retain support of the Rajbangshi population and prevent any new movement over the demand of a separate state.

In course of an administrative review meeting held here on Tuesday afternoon, she elevated Bangshibadn Burman, one of the top leaders of the Greater Cooch Behar People's Association as the chairman of West Bengal Rajbangshi Development & Cultural Board.

The board was formed on June 7, 2017. Burman was the vice-chairman of the board until now. He is also in the same post at the Rajbangshi Bhasa Academy, also formed by the state.

"From now on.... Bangshibadan Burman will be the chairman of the Rajbangshi board. He will replace Anantadeb Adhikari," Mamata said.

Adhikari is the Trinamul MLA of Mainaguri in Jalpaiguri.

The chief minister asked Bangshibadan and Atul Roy, the president of the Kamtapur Progressive Party who is the vice-chairman of Kamtapuri Bhasa Academy about their "requirements" so that these bodies could function in a better manner.

While Bangshi elaborated on the works which the board had done with its funds of Rs 5 crore, Atul said they were working to prepare a syllabus for introduction of Kamtapuri language at schools and requested the chief minister for a building of the academy.

The GCPA had demanded Bangshi's appointment as as the chairman. "He was called to Uttarkanya where the chief minister was staying on Monday. It seems that discussion was made on the issue, followed by the announcement on Tuesday," said a source.

In north Bengal, the GCPA and the KPP have considerable clout over the Rajbangshis, particularly in the districts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district.