GNLF to back Harka, TMC

Mann Ghisingh in Darjeeling. (Suman Tamang)

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, March 27: The Gorkha National Liberation Front will support Jan Andolan Party chief Harka Bahadur Chhetri in the Kalimpong seat and Trinamul candidates in Kurseong and Darjeeling, party president Mann Ghising said today.

This is the first time that the GNLF has not fielded candidates in the three hill seats in the Assembly polls since 1988.

Today, GNLF chief Mann Ghisingh read out a written statement to announce their support to the JAP and Trinamul candidates.

"Keeping in mind the present political confusion and the crisis that might befall the Gorkha community in future, the GNLF has decided to support TMC candidates Sharda Rai Subba (Darjeeling) and Shanta Chhetri (Kurseong). Respecting the sentiments of the people of Kalimpong and keeping in mind the commonalities on certain issues with JAP, GNLF has decided to support JAP candidate Harka Bahadur Chhetri in Kalimpong Assembly segment," he said.

Asked about the commonalities, he said: "This would be clear in the days to come."

The GNLF has said that until the hills are incorporated in the Sixth Schedule, the DGHC that seized to exist on August 2, 2012, should be revived as it had "real constitutional autonomous power".

Harka who has Trinamul's backing, said: "We are happy with the decision of the GNLF. The party has good presence in Kalimpong and Kurseong, although, I do not know much about them in Darjeeling and this is why their support is important to us."

Asked about commonalities, the Kalimpong MLA said: "The most important thing is that we have decided to come to a common platform and work together..."

In the 2011 Assembly polls, Chhetri had contested for the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and won by around 1 lakh votes.

The Morcha has fielded Sarita Rai in Kalimpong, Rohit Sharma in Kurseong and Amar Singh Rai in Darjeeling.

Morcha general secretary, Roshan Giri, said: "The development will not make a difference as we will win all three (hill) seats."

The Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League is also likely to support Harka. Party general secretary Pratap Khati said: "We are not averse to supporting Harka Bahadur Chhetri in Kalimpong."

The ABGL has fielded its candidates in the other two hill seats.