Kurmi leader meets Shah in Delhi, sparks alliance speculation

A six-member delegation of the indigenous Kurmi community, led by their chief spokesperson (Mool Manta) Ajit Prasad Mahato, met Union home minister Amit Shah at Parliament House on Monday afternoon to discuss community issues.

The meeting has triggered speculation in Purulia’s political circles, with many suggesting it could secure the Kurmi vote bank for the BJP ahead of the Assembly election.

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During the discussions, the home minister was presented with three key demands: recognition of the Kurmi tribe as Scheduled Tribe, inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, and a separate code for the Sarna religion. The Kurmi representatives said Mr Shah has assured them, though some leaders believe none of these can be fulfilled before the election.

Since the state government has not recommended tribal status for the Kurmi community, that demand cannot be met immediately. Inclusion of Kurmali in the Eighth Schedule and a separate Sarna code would require parliamentary approval, which is unlikely before the next Monsoon Session.

Ajit Prasad Mahato stated: “Merely giving assurances will not suffice. We must ensure that the demands are implemented. Only then will we support the BJP in the polls.”

In October last year and February this year, Mahato had publicly declared “No vote to TMC” at community events, while conditioning BJP support on the Centre’s action to include Kurmali in the Eighth Schedule. The state government has since approached the Centre on this matter and sent a fresh reminder regarding Sarna.

Meanwhile, the political equations in Jangalmahal have shifted further after Kurmi leader Rajesh Mahato, once a prominent agitator and now chief advisor of the Kurmi community in West Bengal, joined the BJP. Within a week, Ajit Prasad Mahato met Rajesh Mahato and then directly engaged with the home minister, fuelling speculation of a pre-poll alliance. Purulia BJP MP and state general secretary Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato also attended the meeting.

The state government has already set up a Kurmi Bhawan, underscoring the community’s significance. With 50-60 per cent of Purulia’s population belonging to the Kurmi community, all major political parties are vying for their support in the upcoming elections.