In West Bengal, the influence of the Matua Mahasangh was increased and propagated by Guruchand Thakur’s son, Pramatha Ranjan Thakur, and his wife Binapani Devi, popularly known as “Boromaa”.
After PR Thakur’s death, Boromaa was considered to be the chief matriarch of the Matua community till her death in 2019. Over the years, while many political parties and leaders have sought the blessings of Boromaa and Thakur the family, many from the family have also entered politics.
She also gave Trinamool Congress tickets to Boromaa’s two sons, Kapil Krishna Thakur and Manjul Krishna Thakur for the Lok Sabha and the West Bengal assembly respectively.
Just before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Boromaa in Bengal, coincidentally just a few months before her passing, and promised citizenship to Matuas, if they came to power. He was invited by Shantanu Thakur, who fought against Mamata Bala Thakur on a BJP ticket for her Bongaon seat. Shantanu won that…