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During the visit, Banerjee was accompanied by Mamatabala Thakur, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP and a prominent Matua Mahasangha leader. She represents the Trinamool-aligned faction of the sect’s first family, while the other faction is currently led by BJP MP and Union minister Shantanu Thakur.
Banerjee’s presence in the region, widely regarded as a BJP stronghold due to the party’s electoral gains in recent years, was seen as politically significant amid growing concerns among Matua voters over possible disenfranchisement linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The community is believed to wield considerable influence in nearly 70 assembly constituencies across the state, where elections are scheduled in the coming months.
Responding to the situation, Banerjee said, “Everyone has the right to come here. Whenever I come here, I come with respect.” He added, “We do not believe in political violence, coercion, or force. That is why I silently prayed to Sri Sri Harichand Thakur that even if I am not allowed to enter the temple, He will give the answer from wherever He is.”
Choosing not to engage in overt political messaging within the temple premises, Banerjee later addressed concerns over voter list revisions, saying the BJP must explain why it “politically exploited the emotions of the Matuas and then betrayed them.” He concluded by challenging the saffron party to seek votes based on performance, stating, “I dare the BJP to come with their development report card, stating what their government at the Centre has done for the people of this subdivision or district, and then knock on people's door for votes, like we have been doing by submitting the report card of the Mamata Banerjee government.”
