Modi's remark touches raw nerve in Hills

Pinak Priya Bhattacharya & Jayanta Gupta, TNN, Apr 12, 2014, Darjeeling: It was not without reason that GJM chief Bimal Gurung, who was sharing the stage with Narendra Modi at Matigara on Thursday, went white in the face for a while during the BJP prime ministerial candidate's address.

The reason of Gurung's discomfiture was a comment by Modi - that members of the Gorkha community are very proficient watchmen. "People have learnt to trust the Gorkha security personnel more than police," were his exact words."

A similar comment directed at a contestant in a television talent show in 2007 - apparently in jest - had caused furore among the community. Modi wasn't cracking any jokes, but was trying to emphasize that Gorkhas are trustworthy. But Gurung knew instantly that the damage had been done.

By Friday morning, huge posters had been put up across the road to the Trinamool's office at Chowk Bazaar in Darjeeling, urging people not to vote for the BJP as Modi had hurt Gorkha sentiments. The posters were signed "Janata".

Thousands of people crossing Chowk Bazaar stood for a while to read the posters. Some discussed the matter among themselves. It took a while for the GJM to react, but by 1pm, a saffron-coloured poster appeared next to the existing ones. It stated how Modi had said that the dreams of the Gorkhas were his own and that he had spoken about development of the region. This was signed by GJM.

By then, a crowd had gathered at the spot. Trinamool was holding a meeting inside its office but the proceedings were being broadcast to the public over loudspeakers. Sensing possible trouble, the district administration deployed CRPF jawans outside as a precaution.

The youth, in particular, are extremely disappointed with Modi's comment. "Our friends from the Hills are now doing extremely well in the IT and hospitality sectors. The youth are going into many careers," said a youth. "Modi's belief that Gorkhas are only good as security guards is an insult."

Modi's statement will perhaps not decide the fate of the elections but it has given his political opponents a weapon to strike with. GJM no longer seems to enjoy the kind of support it did in the Hills till a couple of years ago. A few BJP flags can be seen but the green-and-yellow of the GJM is strangely missing. The general feeling is that the voting pattern in the plains will decide Gurung's future. With Mamata Banerjee upping the ante and giving GNLF chief Subhas Ghising another lease of political life, it won't be a cakewalk for the BJP this time round.

On Thursday, even as Modi addressed the rally at Matigara, thousands had turned up to attend a GNLF meeting in Darjeeling. They returned, shouting pro-GNLF slogans.

"If Trinamool succeeds in retaining its votes in the plains, Baichung Bhutia is likely to win the Darjeeling seat," said Anil Rai, a local resident. "Ghising still enjoys a lot of support in the Hills. The Lepchas and Tibetans will also take away votes from the GJM-BJP combine. Mahendra P Lama, an Independent candidate, is also very popular and account for a sizeable number of votes. All these factors will make the task very difficult for BJP candidate S S Ahluwalia," he felt.

The general feeling is that this will be a do-or-die battle for Gurung. "There has been no improvement in the situation since Gurung took up our cause. People aren't happy with him. During the 2009 elections, Gurung's writ ruled supreme. Things have changed now," said Manindra Pradhan, a Darjeeling resident.

No wonder Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung, who sat beside Narendra Modi while he delivered his address at Matigara near Siliguri on Thursday, went white in the face for a while. Modi had brought up an issue that irks the Gorkhas. This was about Gorkha watchmen and their proficiency. Once earlier, during a talent show, a comment made in jest on this subject had led to a furore. Modi wasn't cracking a joke. He simply wanted to highlight how honest and trustworthy the Gorkhas are but Gurung knew that the damage had been done.

Many people consider him a sal tree. In 2009, the percentage of votes polled was very high. This year, the polling percentage will be much lower. There is tension in Darjeeling and trouble is likely to break out soon. Locals aren't openly talking politics with strangers but discussing issues among themselves. It is a do-or-die battle for Gurung who, many people believe, will find it difficult to stay in the Hills if the BJP loses the seat. There is also a belief that Mamata will hound him if she wins the seat. No wonder, he is banking heavily on the BJP to ride on the Modi wave and do well in the Plains.