An “exiled” leader of West Bengal has hinted at his community, the Koch-Rajbongshi, being granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Assam.
Ananta Rai, a self-proclaimed king of Cooch Behar in northern West Bengal and a spiritual leader, has been living in Chirang near Bongaigaon town for a few years. He had claimed to have been in exile for fighting for the “independent state” of Cooch Behar.
“Good news for the Koch-Rajbongshi community is on the way,” Mr. Rai told journalists after Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid him a visit around noon on Thursday.
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Influence over voters
Mr. Shah’s visit is believed to be significant because of Mr Rai’s clout in the community who comprise a sizeable chunk of voters in western Assam and northern West Bengal, which along with parts of Bangladesh once formed the medieval Koch kingdom.
The Koch-Rajbongshis are one of six communities – the others are Adivasi, Chutia, Matak, Moran and Tai-Ahom – that have been demanding ST status for decades.
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The BJP, which rules Assam in alliance with two regional parties, has been splurging on the Adivasis, referred to as “tea tribes”. The Adivasis form about 20% of Assam’s population and swing votes in about 45 of Assam’s 126 Assembly seats.