TMC MP accuses Union Minister Shantanu Thakur of taking money from Matuas for citizenship

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP and Matua community leader Mamatabala Thakur on Sunday accused Union Minister Shantanu Thakur of extorting money from members of the Matua community in the name of providing citizenship. The allegation was made during the annual Shahid Divas rally held at Dharmatala.

Addressing the gathering, Mamatabala Thakur said the BJP was misleading the Matua community by taking money with the assurance of granting Indian citizenship. She alleged, “In the name of granting citizenship, the BJP is misleading the Matua society and playing with people’s emotions after taking money. This is nothing but vote bank politics, in which the community has been trapped through false promises.”

She claimed the process was being conducted under the supervision of Bongaon MP and Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur. According to her, neither was citizenship granted nor was there any transparency in the process. She said the community had been given hope but not results.

The Trinamool MP also stated that the Matua community had received recognition and rights under the TMC-led state government. She said, “Mamata Banerjee’s government has always done justice to them.” She contrasted this with the promises made by the Centre, which she alleged had not materialised.

The remarks have drawn political attention due to the Matua community’s electoral influence in several Lok Sabha constituencies across West Bengal. As of now, neither the central government nor Shantanu Thakur has issued any response to the allegations made by Mamatabala Thakur.