The political landscape of North Dinajpur’s Kaliaganj has been set ablaze following the BJP’s decision to field Utpal Maharaj, a prominent figure associated with the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, for the 2026 Assembly Elections. In a dramatic turn of events, the spiritual organization has officially expelled Utpal Maharaj, stating that entering active politics ruins one’s religious life.

The Sangha issued a stern statement emphasizing that succumbimg to political influence or allurements is incompatible with the life of a monk. While some locals claim that Maharaj had distanced himself from the Sangha’s core duties before joining the fray, the expulsion has added a layer of controversy to his candidacy.

The BJP chose to replace its sitting MLA Soumen Roy with Utpal Maharaj this time. He is pitted against TMC candidate Nitai Baishya, a well-known educationist. Baishya expressed his disappointment, saying, “I once respected him as a spiritual leader, but it’s baffling to see him trade a life of sacrifice for a game of power.” Historically a BJP stronghold, the Kaliaganj seat—won by the party by 21,000 votes in the last general election—is now set for a high-stakes battle between spiritual identity and political legacy.