Ghisingh closer to hills

Ghisingh at his new house in Matigara on Friday. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

TT, April 26: GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh today shifted his base from Jalpaiguri to Matigara, a few kilometres from where the GTA area begins, and gave enough hints that he would be actively involved in the hill politics again.

“We have run the DGHC for 18 long years but as I walked out, an ominous force emerged in the hills,” Ghisingh said, without naming the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha which is at the helm of the GTA.

“Those who are riding on horses and reigning in the hills must realise that they are not real rulers and at any point of time, they might topple from the horses. The GNLF is determined to take the reins of the horses in its hands for the sake of the hills and that is why I have decided to shift to Siliguri,” Ghisingh said.

The former chairman of the DGHC had been staying at Collegepara in Jalpaiguri, 30km from Siliguri after he was hounded out of the hills in 2008 following the emergence of the Morcha.

“The demand for the separate state is second on our priority list. We would surely raise it, but right now we are waiting for the verdict of Calcutta High Court, where I have filed a suit questioning the legality of forming the GTA when the DGHC agreement has not been cancelled. Our party would advocate Sixth Schedule, which has constitutional validity and can largely help in the development of the hills,” he said.

Ghisingh’s shift to Matigara, merely 3km from the GTA border of Sukna, and his decision to speak against the Morcha is symbolic of his intention to get re-involved in hill politics. Even when Ghisingh came to the hills to canvass for GNLF candidates in the 2011 Assembly polls, he didn’t target the Morcha

GNLF sources said a three-room flat on the second floor of a three-storied building had been taken on rent at Lichubagan in Matigara for the leader to stay. Matigara is 5km from Siliguri.

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said Ghisingh’s shift to Matigara would not make any difference. “The hill people have already rejected Ghisingh as his Sixth Schedule status would have divided them. Ghisingh has already made a full and final settlement with the government not to ask for Gorkhaland and the hill people are aware of his agreements,” said Giri.