Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seat: Parties mum on Kamtapur statehood issue

The Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency, which comprises six Assembly seats in Jalpaiguri district and one in Cooch Behar, will go to polls on April 19 

PTI, April 02, 2024 : Unaddressed drinking water problems, unemployment and inadequate health infrastructure, apart from persistent demand for a Kamtapur State, are the key issues in the Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. 

The constituency, which comprises six Assembly seats in Jalpaiguri district and one in Cooch Behar, will go to polls on April 19. While five seats —Mekliganj (Cooch Behar),Dhupguri, Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri and Rajganj — are reserved for Scheduled Castes since 2009 following the Delimitation Commission's directive, Mal is reserved for Scheduled Tribes and Dabgram-Phulbari falls under general category. 

Jalpaiguri is mostly dominated by Koch Rajbongshis (around 30per cent), tribals (above 10 percent), Nepali speakers (around 4.5per cent), Hindi-speaking people(nearly 3 per cent) and Limbu (1.9 per cent).

Incumbent MP Jayanta Kumar Roy of the BJP, seeking re-election, highlighted his efforts towards constituency development despite challenges and lack of state cooperation. 

A doctor by profession, Roy feels the need for a "super speciality hospital" in the district to cater to people who have to rush outside the state during medical emergencies.

"I've exerted my utmost effort despite facing obstacles and a lack of cooperation from the Trinamool government. 

The health sector in our constituency holds immense potential for development. However, absence of a super-specialty hospital remains a pressing issue, compelling people to seek treatment in Mumbai or South India. Regrettably, the initiatives purportedly undertaken by the state government appear to be superficial," Roy said.

Highlighting the migration of local youths to other states in pursuit of jobs, the BJP MP accused the Trinamool Congress government of neglecting the matter by failing to establish industrial units in the region.

"It's disheartening to witness that our youth are compelled to seek livelihoods elsewhere due to the lack of jobs. Despite the potential for industrial growth, the Trinamool government has not made any effort to address this issue," he lamented. 

Regarding the long standing demand for a separate Kamtapur or Greater Cooch Behar state, the BJP leader acknowledged the grievances of the people of north Bengal. "It's undeniable that the state government has overlooked the interests of north Bengal people. While the Centre is reviewing the demand for recognition of the Kamtapuri language, I refrain from commenting on the demand for a separate state," he said. Referring to the problems in teagardens, the outgoing BJP MP said,"

The issues will be addressed. "His opponent, Nirmal Chandra Roy of Trinamool, a first-time MLA from Dhupguri who won the by-poll a few months ago, blamed the BJPMP for failing to live up to the expectations of the people.

"I keep telling the people of teagardens that the central government has done nothing for them and they should not repeat the mistake of voting for them again, "the Trinamool nominee said, referring to the alleged withholding of the MGNREGA and government housing scheme funds by the Centre. 

In response to queries about the demand for a Kamtapur state, he underscored the unity in West Bengal, emphasising its status as a state where people from diverse communities, creeds, and beliefs coexist harmoniously. He dismissed the notion of partitioning West Bengal, highlighting that there is no question of creating another state. 

 Coincidentally, the Kamtapur People's Party, wielding significant influence among the Rajbanshis in north Bengal and certain areas of lower Assam, has started pressuring the Centre and the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. 

 Recently, it submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office and the Union home minister, urging for the creation of a separate state and the inclusion of the Rajbanshi language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

 On whether CAA and NRC will have any impact on the elections, the Trinamool candidate said, "People here have been deprived of Constitutional rights for years. And now this CAA has created a panic. We are already the citizens of India and there is no need to prove our citizenship again."