A Trinamool-GNLF tie-up could be brewing in Darjeeling

Amitava Banerjee, HT (Kolkata),13 Mar 2014: With Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) having parted ways with the ruling party, a Trinamool-Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) alliance for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections could be brewing.

Interestingly, the GJM, considered an ally of Trinamool, had voted for the Trinamool in the last Rajya Sabha election too. However, this time GJM decided to forge a pre-poll alliance with the BJP.

Trinamool flagged off its election campaign in the Hills by offering prayers at Mahakal Temple in Darjeeling town. Trinamool leader Gautam Deb accompanied the party’s candidate, Bhaichung Bhutia. Confronted with the question if the party was considering an alliance with GNLF in the Hills, Deb said, “Nothing can be ruled out in politics. Time will tell.”

A reliable Trinamool party source said the Trinamool had received fillers from the GNLF camp. A meeting between front rung leaders of the two parties could take place in the next few days.

The GNLF has preferred to play its cards close to the chest. When confronted with this question, GNLF convener Nima Lama said, “We will be formally announcing the GNLF stand regarding the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the next few days.”

Political observers opine that both parties should not have too many problems entering an alliance as GNLF has been rallying for 6th Schedule status for Darjeeling Hills rather than Gorkhaland.

With Trinamool being a strong antagonist of Gorkhaland, entering into an alliance with the GNLF well suits Trinamool’s political budget.

The Darjeeling parliamentary constituency comprises 7 assembly constituencies, namely Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong in the Hills along with Siliguri, MatigarahNaxalbari, Phansidawa and Chopra in the plains. The total number of voters is just over 14 lakh. The Hill voter strength is around 6 lakh.

Though GJM has declared the GNLF a spent force with Ghisingh and the front-rung leaders ousted from the Hills in 2008, GNLF have been making a steady comeback.

In the last assembly elections GNLF secured the second highest votes.

On the campaign trail Trinamool leader Gautam Deb said a special manifesto is being prepared for the Hills. Tax holiday for the Darjeeling district; Darjeeling district being declared a backward district along with Cooch Behar; opening of a Central University, medical college along with inclusion of 10 Gorkha sub-communities in the Schedule Tribe list would feature in the manifesto.