BJP-AIGL tie-up in Hills likely... Ratan Thapa may join GNLF

SNS, 12 December, Darjeeling: The Hills are likely to see a new political alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJ) and the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) in the near future.

It is learnt that on 7 December, a team of AIGL leaders led by party president SK Pradhan held a meeting with senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargia in Siliguri. According to sources, the leaders of the two parties discussed the present political scenario in the Hills and the state government's role there.

Sources further said that the leaders also discussed possibilities of the two parties having an alliance. However, AIGL and BJP leaders are yet to confirm the development.

Asked about any such tieup or meeting with the BJP leadership, AIGL organizing secretary, Sudarshan Rai, refused to speak on the matter. However, he said that there is always a thing called "possibility" in politics.

Observers said that any such alliance between the two parties could mean a new political equation and "twist" in Hill politics_ "It could also bring about a different relationship between the Bimal Gurung- led Morcha faction and the AIGL party," one observer said.

On the other hand, sources have said that a senior GJMM leader and former GTA sabha member, Ratan -Thapa, who is still in hiding and who is supposed to belong to the Bimal Gurung Camp is likely to join Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) with is supporters. The sources said senior GNLF leaders are in constant touch with Mr Thapa over the past few days. However, it is learnt that Mr Thapa has not given a clear response to the GNLF leadership on his joining the party.