Jalpaiguri: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a rally at Cooch Behar’s Rash Mela ground on Sunday as BJP seeks to reassure Rajbanshi voters — a community that makes up roughly 30% of north Bengal’s electorate — rattled by widespread name deletions under SIR process. The rally will also be his first public appearance in Bengal since the Kaliachak violence.The choice of Cooch Behar is pointed. Rajbanshi voters are decisive across 15 SC-reserved seats spanning Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, North and South Dinajpur — including Mekhliganj, Mathabhanga, Sitalkuchi, Falakata, Dhupguri and Jalpaiguri, among others.Even unreserved seats such as Dinhata, Tufanganj and Natabari carry significant populations of Nasya Sheikhs, essentially converted Rajbanshis.BJP won 10 of these 15 reserved seats in 2021, though TMC clawed back Dhupguri, Sitai and Dinhata in subsequent by-elections. Sunday’s gathering is also expected to draw tea workers from the Dooars. The SIR has caused particular unease in this belt. Voters from the erstwhile enclaves were initially left off the post-SIR rolls entirely, though most have since been included.Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya deflected questions about the SIR controversy. “People are waiting in anticipation for what the PM says. Youths are waiting for his vision, as are distressed farmers across Bengal. His visit has infused energy among the rank and file,” he said.Nisith Pramanik, BJP candidate from Mathabhanga, said the PM’s visit to North Bengal “holds great significance” and that people were eager for change.
