As the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections draw closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is intensifying its outreach to the Matua community, a significant ভোট bank in the state. This strategic move aims to consolidate support among the Matuas and strengthen the party's position against the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The Matua community, largely comprising Dalits from the Namasudra caste, holds considerable socio-political influence in West Bengal and Assam. Originating in the 19th century with Harichand Thakur, the Matua sect promotes social equality, education, and the worship of a formless god, rejecting caste distinctions and idol worship. A significant number of Matuas migrated to West Bengal during the Partition of India in 1947, and later due to religious persecution. In recent years, the Matua community has become a vital vote bank in West Bengal.
Recognizing the importance of this community, the BJP has actively included Matua leaders in its ranks. A prominent example is Shantanu Thakur, a descendant of Harichand Thakur and a Member of Parliament from Bangaon, who also serves as a central minister. His inclusion in the central cabinet is a strategic move to consolidate the Matua vote bank, signaling the BJP's recognition and respect for the community. As a central minister, Thakur can address the community's issues at a national level and advocate for policies benefiting the Matua community.
The BJP's outreach strategy involves engaging with the cultural and religious aspects of the Matua community to build a strong emotional connection. The party has supported the celebration of Matua festivals and cultural events. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Harichand Thakur shrine in Orakandi, Bangladesh, before the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, was a significant gesture aimed at winning the hearts of the Matua community.
However, the BJP faces challenges in its Matua outreach. One major issue is allaying fears about the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls. While the BJP aims to use the SIR to strike out Bangladeshi Muslims from the electoral rolls, there are concerns that it could inadvertently affect the citizenship status of Matuas. This has created unease within the community, with some leaders warning that the Matuas would not forgive the BJP if their citizenship is questioned.
Despite these challenges, the BJP is determined to strengthen its support among the Matuas. The party is focusing on development and governance, promising better housing, healthcare, and educational facilities for the community. The BJP is also highlighting issues such as women's safety, law and order, and illegal migration to appeal to a broader electorate.
With the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to woo the Matua community. Whether these efforts will translate into electoral gains remains to be seen, but the BJP is clearly banking on the Matua community to play a crucial role in its quest to challenge the TMC's dominance in West Bengal. The BJP is also making efforts to shed its "outsider" image and connect with Bengali culture by focusing on local leaders and chanting "Joy Maa Kali" and "Joy Maa Durga". The party is also launching digital outreach programs to involve more people in their campaign.
