Mahua Moitra Vs Rajmata Amrita Roy: A Battle Includes Siraj-ud-Daulah, Britishers, Anti-Nationalism, Hindutava, Cultural Revivalism, CAA, Elitism And Royalism

The Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency went for an interesting election on May 13, 2024, between the two prime candidates, TMC’s Mahua Moitra and BJP’s Rajmata Amrita Roy, in the border district of Nadia in West Bengal. The election in the constituency situated at the border with Bangladesh remained interesting for various reasons and the election result will reflect the voter’s mood and their present aspirations from the government.

Here are some key phrases that remained prominent during the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha election, 2024.

Siraj-ud-Daulah, British and Anti-nationalism

Amrita Roy is a member of Krishnanagar”s royal family of king Maharaja Krishnachandra, who ruled the region for nearly 55 years, from 1728 to 1783. Rajmata Amrita Roy is the 39th descendent of Maharaja Krishnachandra Roy. Notably, in 1757, during the historic battle of Plassey, Krishnachandra Roy, along with rich traders of Kolkata like Jagat Seth and Umichand took sides with the East India Company.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Roy criticised the royal family for supporting colonialism against the interests of Bengal and India. Rajmata refuted his allegation by arguing that King Krishnachandra was compelled to support the British to end the exploitative rule of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah.

TMC accuses the royals of siding with British and work against the national interest. Moreover, the BJP also did not spare the TMC candidate Mahua Moitra to work against the national interest in the alleged cash-for-query incident.

Hindutava and Cultural Revivalism

Rajmata Amrita Roy refuted the TMC allegations on the royal familty for being anti-national underlying that the king was compelled to side with the British to protect the Sanatan Dharma and Bengali culture as the oppressive rule of Siraj-ud-Daula sought to destroy the Hindu culture by forced conversions.

The royal candidate’s political pitch corroborates with BJP’s political discourse of Hindutava politics and cultural revivalism in India after the 1000 years of foreign rule. However, some political analyst observes that the instances of conversions from Hindu to Islam were largely due to the oppressive caste system in the country.

While the reign of Krishnachandra is known to provide support and patronage to art and Bengali culture by supporting Durga Puja and Jagaddhatri Puja in Bengal.

Matua Community and the CAA

Rajmata’s portrayal of Maharaja Krishnachandra as a defender of Hindu against Muslim rekindles the Matuas, who escaped the communal violence in the erstwhile East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh). The BJP”s commitment to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act gives hope to the Matua community to be included in India as its citizens.

However, on one side where BJP”s CAA card expects to lure Matuas, the community at large has supported TMC as they have reportedly benefitted from the West Bengal government”s welfare schemes.

Elitism and Royalism

TMC candidate Mahua Moitra has been vocal over BJPs alleged “Vendetta Politics” and alluding to big corporates. Moitra fiercely criticised the ruling government in the parliament for neglecting the poor. However, BJP has also time and again allegedly called Mahua Moitra an “Elitist” politician over her costly living style. Moitra has been target by the BJP party for carrying expensive bags and attending lavish parties.

While Rajmata represents traditions and artistocracy because of her royal identity. Despite a new entrant in politics, Amrita Roy is seen as a formidable challenge to the TMC candidate due to her royal lineage which still shares an emotional bond with the people of Krishnanagar.

The Lok Sabha election result on June 4 will show up the which side of the battle between the historical narratives and practical political issues resonated with the voters in Krishnanagar Lok Sabha Constituency in West Bengal.