Mamata sends unity message in Darjeeling

Darjeeling should be smiling: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, GNLF president Mann Ghisingh (second from left) and Morcha president Binay Tamang (second from right) at the event where Rohini Road was renamed after Subash Ghisingh on Tuesday. Picture by Passang Yolmo 

Devadeep Purohit and Vivek Chhetri, TT, Feb 06, 2018: Darjeeling: Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee pulled off a political feat on Tuesday by bringing the rival Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the GNLF on the same platform - the message of unity marking her return to the Darjeeling hills that were hit by an upheaval eight months ago.

Flashing smiles, Binay Tamang, the president of the Morcha, and Mann Ghishing of the GNLF posed with the chief minister in the foothills as she unveiled a plaque naming the road connecting Rohini - 15km from Siliguri - and Darjeeling in the memory of Subash Ghishing, the founder president of the GNLF.

"When good things are done, everyone should be together.... We can build and develop Darjeeling if everyone is together," Mamata said as GNLF and Morcha supporters stood next to each other and slogans such as "Subash Ghishing Amar Rahos" rent air.

Ghishing and Tamang showered praises on each other at the road naming ceremony. The bonhomie - the parties have been fighting with each other for over a decade to claim the ownership of the Gorkha identity - surprised many in the hills.

"Today, the Morcha, the GNLF and the Trinamul people are here. People from different religions, races and different mother tongues are here. I will not come to usurp anything. My only wish is, Darjeeling should be smiling," the chief minister said.

The hills have rarely witnessed political rivals sharing a common platform.

"Such symbolism may create a healthy political culture in the hills, even though both the parties will definitely be looking at strengthening their support base," said an observer.

It was apparent that the scenes of unity were the outcome of a lot of groundwork by the state administration before Mamata's visit.

The state government's handling of the agitation over the emotive Gorkhaland issue had drawn criticism from the people. Mamata was accorded a warm welcome by the Morcha supporters at more than 15 places right from Sukna till Darjeeling.

The Morcha cadres had also gathered in front of the Gorkha Rangamanch Bhavan, which was the epicentre of the violence during Mamata's last visit in June 2017. She alighted from her car in front of the building to accept khadas from the Morcha supporters.