Far-Right group Hindu Samhati forms party to contest WB assembly polls

Another political party emerged in West Bengal to hold the Hindu vote in its own hands. On Sunday (February 14), Hindu Samhati, a Hindu organization in Bengal, announced its party. This organization has named its political party 'Jana Samhati' for contesting at least 170 of the 294 seats.  

On Sunday (February 14), Hindu Samhati, a Hindu organization in Bengal, announced its party. This organization has named its political party 'Jana Samhati' for contesting at least 170 of the 294 seats.

Hindu Samhati has grown in several districts, especially in south Bengal, since its formation in 2008 by Tapan Ghosh, a former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak.

Hindu Samhati backed the BJP in 2019 but the leadership has now returned to its old position. In the 2021 assembly polls, they are entering the electoral battle as a political party.

Hindu Samhati made headlines during the Basirhar riots in 2017 when Tapan Ghosh provided legal protection to the two minor boys whose social media post triggered arson and led to a death.

Devatanu Bhattacharya, the head of Hindu Samhati, said, “Hindu Samhati continues to function as an independent organization. We will contest 40 seats in North Bengal and 130 seats in South Bengal in this Assembly election. We still have no plans to form an alliance with any other party. We supported the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. But Hindus cannot trust the BJP now. If BJP comes to power, the people of Bengal will have to pay the price.”

Trinamool Congress MP Saugat Roy said, "Hindu Samhati has not done any political work. So, there will be no impact on the election. It can only harm secular politics.”

BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya said, 'Any political party can take part in the democratic structure. But in this election, only BJP-Trinamool Congress will contest.”