Abisekh Banerjee campaigns for TMC in Darjeeling

EOI, DARJEELING, 5 May 2017: Campaigning for party candidates in Darjeeling for the civic election that is expected to have an important bearing on the TMC’s prospects in the hills, All India Trinamool Youth Congress (AITYC) president Abishek Banerjee directed supporters to go all out to ensure a thumping victory.

Addressing a public meeting today at the Motor Stand in the heart of Darjeeling town, the AITYC president asked party workers not to be afraid of the terror tactics of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

“I have come to know that the GJM threatens and uses terror tactics to scare voters during elections. But this time, if they threaten you or try to intimidate you, then you (party workers) must also return the favour in the same coin,” Banerjee said.

The TMC has fielded candidates from all the wards of the four municipalities of the hills and has a seat sharing alliance with the Gorkha National Liberation Front to counter the GJM. The TMC youth president tore into the GJM leadership and said on May 17 (result day) the people would give a befitting reply and throw out Bimal Gurung, the GJM president.

“He (Gurung) is doing politics of lies to retain his seat and remain in power by hoodwinking the innocent people of the hills. But this won't last long. Darjeeling is known for the three Ts (tea, timber and tourism) but on May 17, there will be four Ts (tea, timber, tourism and TMC) and the hills will be covered in green,” predicted Banerjee.

State ministers Indranil Sen and Gautam Deb along with senior hill TMC leaders and candidates in fray for the May 14 civic polls were present at the public meeting that was preceded by rallies organised from different areas of town.

Praising chief minister Mamata Banerjee for ushering development in the hills and fulfilling her promises, Banerjee said Rs12 crore had been given to solve the water problem, Rs4 crore for street lights, Rs15 crore for waste management and around Rs100 crore to construct the Rohini road in Kurseong. “An ITI college will come up in Mungpo, Lamahatta has been converted into an eco-tourism spot and 15 boards have been formed for the development of the various hill communities. But the GJM has failed to work for the people. I am standing in your area and making this claim. If you (Gurung) have the guts then file a court case and prove me wrong,” challenged the AITYC president.

On his maiden visit to Darjeeling, Banerjee also spoke on the statehood demand, the bandh culture and the need for the hills to develop. “Gurung only talks about breaking, but we want to unite and move forward taking the people with us. This is the difference between our party and the GJM. We also want to do away with the bandh culture which harms the common people. We believe in work first,” he said.

Appealing to voters to give the TMC a chance to develop the hills, the AITYC president promised to convert Darjeeling into another Switzerland. “The GJM has been given so many chances. This time bring us to power. I promise in one year, we will make Darjeeling better and more beautiful than Kolkata. It is for all to see how our party has developed Bengal,” he said.

Banerjee will be in Kurseong on Saturday to campaign for the party candidates there and will leave for Kolkata in the afternoon. (