Mamata meets BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj in Cooch Behar

IANS, Kolkata, June 18, 2024 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday met influential Rajbongshi leader and BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Cooch Behar, Ananta Maharaj, at the latter’s residence.

The BJP MP greeted the Chief Minister by wrapping a traditional Rajbongshi scarf around her. Later, Maharaj gifted her betel leaf, a traditional Rajbongshi symbol of showing respect towards a guest.

Although the Chief Minister refused to comment on the meeting that lasted for a little over 30 minutes, Maharaj said it was just a courtesy call and there was nothing political about it.

“The Chief Minister came to my house and I welcomed her to the best of my ability. It was just a courtesy meeting. There is nothing political about it. The Chief Minister also praised my residence,” he said.

When asked if he was trying to get close to the Trinamool Congress, the BJP MP said, “Neither I am in touch with anyone in Trinamool Congress, nor did I invite the Chief Minister to come to my residence. She came on her own. So I am not bothered by who is saying what. But yes, I am happy that the Chief Minister came to my house.”

In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool’s Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia won from Cooch Behar by defeating sitting BJP Lok Sabha member and then Union Minister Nisith Pramanik.

PTI : Roy welcomed Mamata at the Chakchaka Palace with a traditional scarf and 'guwapaan' or betel leaf. 

The meeting, which was seen as politically significant, lasted for around 35minutes. Before visiting Roy's residence, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the Madan Mohan temple in the district headquarters town. 

Mamata arrived in Cooch Behar on Monday evening after visiting the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri where she met victims of the Kanchanjunga Express tragedy.

The TMC wrested the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat from the BJP, defeating incumbent MP Nisith Pramanik by nearly 40,000 votes. 

The election results gave rise to fervent speculations on whether fresh political equations were in the making given Roy's influence over a significant section of Rajbanshi community members of the region. 

While the state BJP has so far not responded to the development, which is likely to add to the party’s discomfiture, Roy himself was cryptic about the meeting. "Let's see what happens in future," he told reporters after the meeting.