Swamy’s support for Gorkhaland puts state BJP in damage control mode

EOI, SILIGURI/DARJEELING, 16 Apr 2015: The apparent sympathy being shown by the BJP’s top brass to the demand for a Gorkhaland state has always been a weapon for rival parties to corner the saffron front’s Bengal unit and debunking its vows of keeping the state undivided. This Achilles’ heel is once again making the state BJP suffer ahead of the civic polls, especially after the speech by former cabinet minister and senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy recently in Darjeeling. On Tuesday Swamy said, “The demand for a separate Gorkhaland state is a valid call. I support it and assure that the new state will be formed.”

BJP veteran Swami’s statement in public has, however, caused quite a stir in the plains of Siliguri and its environs. And in an effort to mitigate the damage done to the image of the state BJP, Siliguri organisational district BJP president Rathindranath Bose has said, “We don’t support the demand for a Gorkhaland state and will oppose all such calls aimed at dividing the state.”

Reacting to the development Trinamool Congress leader Krishna Chandra Paul said, “BJP is vested to divide Bengal and create chaos here. We will never let it happen.”