Mamata Banerjee playing with fire: Bimal Gurung

Deep Milan Pradhan, EOI, Mirik, 6 April 2014: Addressing an election rally in Mirik Foolbari Maidan today, GJM chief Bimal Gurung stated Mamata Banerjee is “playing with fire” and warned the situation might take an ugly turn if the CM mishandles the fire. The statement was an apparent retaliation to the sudden crack down on his party leaders by the state government following its announcement to support BJP in the parliamentary elections.

Looking aggressive, Gurung said, “What does the CM think of herself? Let me clarify that I am not an insignificant person when it comes to the political circle of West Bengal. I have come ahead to form a separate state of Gorkhaland and I am ready to die for it.” Troubled by police actions against GJM, Gurung said, “The police administration must understand too. Gorkhaland is for you and your children’s better future.”

The GTA chief executive also alleged TMC of engaging in vested politics. He accused the TMC government of removing his security and also conspiring to kill him for demanding Gorkhaland and supporting a pro-Gorklhaland party. He added the state government is directing the police to act outside their limitation and is trying to force the GJM to repeat the violent agitation of 1986. He however ruled out all possibilities of repeating such act of violence.

Gurung also took a dig on GNLF supremo Subash Ghising by alleging him of being a person who sells out the esteem of the community for his benefit. He alleged the TMC government of desperately trying to put Ghising in the GTA chief’s chair and added, “I will give away the GTA post if Ghising wants it. But he must prove his mandate in all the 45 constituencies.” He also demanded the GNLF to provide answer on why it sacrificed 1200 people in the name of Gorkhaland, when it was ultimately going to support an anti-Gorkhaland party. 

Meanwhile, BJP candidate SS Ahluwalia appealed to the people that they must defeat Trinamool Congress, which is breaking the unity of the communities in the hills. Urging people to vote for him, Ahluwalia promised the first demand he will raise in Parliament will be that of the Gorkhas of Darjeeling. He said his second job will be to act as a bridge between the government and the people to help them realize their dream of forming a separate state. He pledged to make utmost efforts to solve the “complicated problem” of the Gorkha community.

Ahluwalia assured to grant ST status to the ten Gorkha sub-communities if the BJP comes to power at the centre. He added the Limbu and Tamang communities were able to obtain tribal status when the BJP government existed at the centre back in 2003. The BJP candidate also expressed confidence on saffron party forming the government at the center this time and urged the people to vote for his party in the interest of the nation.