Bangshibadan Barman’s switch from Trinamool to BJP — secured by a promise to include Rajbanshi in the Eighth Schedule — confirms one half of a significant political realignment in Cooch Behar. The other half, Ananta Maharaj’s final allegiance, remains the open question of Bengal’s election season.
By NIRENDRA DEV
Kolkata, March 26, 2026 — In a development that adds fresh momentum to the BJP’s campaign in north Bengal, Rajbanshi leader Bangshibadan Barman joined the party in Kolkata — in the presence of state BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya and Suvendu Adhikari.
Barman, who chairs the Rajbanshi Development and Cultural Board formed by the state government, heads a faction of the Greater Cooch Behar Peoples’ Association (GCPA) and commands considerable influence among the Rajbanshi community of north Bengal. He had backed the Trinamool Congress until now.
He was joined by close aide Girija Shankar Roy and Arghya Roy Pradhan — a Trinamool leader, former MLA, and son of veteran Forward Bloc MP Amar Roy Pradhan — who had won from Tufanganj and Mekhliganj on the Trinamool ticket in the 2011 and 2016 assembly polls and had also served as Cooch Behar’s district youth TMC president.
“Bangshibadan Barman has done a lot for the Rajbanshi community. He has placed certain demands for the community and the region, which our party will duly consider,” said Adhikari, noting that Barman had not sought a seat for himself.
Barman said the BJP’s assurance on a longstanding community demand had sealed his decision. “Our language and culture have not flourished for years. This time, we have been assured that the Rajbanshi language will be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. That is a major development for us,” he said.
Arghya Roy Pradhan cited disillusionment with Trinamool. “I could no longer compromise with the party because of the corruption, and could not reply to people when they questioned me on the issue. That is why I chose to join the BJP,” he said.
The Ananta Maharaj Question
Barman’s move confirms one half of what political observers are calling a significant realignment in Cooch Behar. The other half involves Nagendra Roy — better known as Ananta Maharaj — a BJP Rajya Sabha member who heads a rival faction of the GCPA.
Ananta, who was earlier associated with the BJP, was recently honoured by the state government with its highest civilian award — a gesture widely read as a Trinamool overture. The party has also fielded Harihar Das, his close associate, in the Sitalkuchi seat of Cooch Behar.
Yet on Sunday, Ananta Maharaj attended a high-level BJP meeting, sowing confusion in both camps.
“Bangshibadan Barman has now confirmed that he will back the BJP, which will definitely boost the saffron camp,” said a political observer. “But where Ananta Maharaj finally lands remains the open question in Cooch Behar.”
Follow The Raisina Hills on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
