GNLF presence still strong; opposition acknowledges this: Pemu Chhetri

EOI, KURSEONG, 26 Aug 2014: A woman leader of the Gorkha National Liberation Front Pemu Chettri has claimed many supporters of opposition camps in the hills are switching over to her party, which confirms the GNLF has far from dissuaded itself from active politics.

Pemu Chhetri on Tuesday told reporters said the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leadership has been claiming the GNLF and its supporters have completely disappeared from the hills since 2007 after the formation of the Morcha and hence, the erstwhile ruling party has paled into insignificance.

While dismissing the claims by both the GJM and the TMC before the media of several GNLF supporters joining her camp, she said this only helps to prove the GNLF is still a force to reckon with. “Their claims only go on to prove the GNLF still has plenty of supporters because if there weren’t any, how could the two parties claim about GNLF supporters joining their ranks,” asked Chhetri.

The GJM and TMC must understand clearly the numerical strength of the GNLF. If the numbers were insignificant, there is no point in the rivals trumpeting their ‘achievement, she reasoned. Hence, the rhetoric of the rivals itself acknowledges that the GNLF enjoys considerable support from the masses and will definitely continue doing so.

She denounced some GNLF leaders who have recently quit and joined the GJM and the TMC. Switching of loyalties implies such people are not true to their beliefs and commitments, but are traders, always on the lookout for opportunities that can give them the most of profits. Chhetri warned party supporters of such ‘traders’ who pack up and leave as soon as they smell a better chance of hitting a lucrative means to further their selfish interests.

She also remarked that the GJM leadership, which has been demanding a Gorkhaland state and tribal status for the entire Gorkha community including other development works and facilities, knows very well they are all the brainchild of GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh who had the foresight to envision them a long time ago.

It may be mentioned that Pemu Chettri had contested in the last legislative assembly election from Kurseong constituency as a GNLF candidate.