West Bengal Assembly Polls: Rajbanshi Community and Party Strategies in Focus

Ahead of West Bengal's assembly elections, political dynamics intensify around the Rajbanshi community, the state's largest Scheduled Caste group. The BJP has historically drawn support from Rajbanshis and Matuas, focusing on citizenship and regional demands like separate statehood and language recognition. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress has engaged with Rajbanshi leaders, including BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ananta Maharaj, signaling outreach efforts. Concurrently, the CPI(M) faces challenges after key young leaders, such as Pratikur Rahman, defected to the TMC, impacting its revival prospects.