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Six Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will go to the polls on July 24; a by-poll will also be held in another seat from the state. Rai heads one of the GCPA factions, demanding that a separate state or union territory be carved out of northern West Bengal. He is believed to have considerable say among the Rajbanshi community of the North Bengal region, estimated to account for nearly 30percentt of the electorate in the area.

Ananta Rai - the self-proclaimed king of the district - has been demanding that a separate state be carved out of northern West Bengal. The man holds considerable influence over the Koch-Rajbongshi community and claims to have over 18 lakh followers.

BJP has nominated Ananta Rai 'Maharaj', who has been demanding that a separate state of 'Greater Cooch Behar' be carved out of West Bengal, to the Rajya Sabha from the state

The Bharatiya Janata Party's decision to nominate Ananta Rai 'Maharaj', who has been demanding a separate state of 'Greater Cooch Behar' to be carved out of West Bengal, as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from the state, has kicked off a fresh storm with the ruling Trinamool Congress accusing the saffron party of fanning separatism in the state.

CLP leader O Ibobi pointed out that the demands of the 10 MLAs can be considered and discussed in the Assembly, and if the majority opposes the demand, it can be rejected democratically.