Gorkha panel a house divided

HT, 7Jun 2016, SILIGURI: Siliguri Terai Gorkha Vikash Manch ( STGBM) is under the scanner for the second time after its general secretary alleged that he was kept in the dark during the formation of a new committee.

The Manch formed on March 20 claims to represent the Gorkhas of Siliguri and aspires for a separate development board for them.

Sanam Giri, general secretary of the Manch’s ad hoc committee, on Monday said, “I was kept in the dark during the formation of a permanent committee and the newly formed committee is illegal.”

The new general secretary, Padam Chettri, said, “A permanent committee has been formed after the dissolution of adhoc committee on Sunday.” However, Chettri did not cite any reason why the adhoc committee was dissolved and new committee formed in the absence of the general secretary. Giri, however, said that as the general secretary of the adhoc committee, he was informed about the meeting very late on Saturday night. “I was not in Siliguri when I was informed and I had asked the president of the ad hoc committee Binni Sharma to postpone the meeting. But they did not pay any heed to my request and formed the permanent committee on Sunday by sidelining me,” Giri said, adding that vested people have hijacked the Manch. He also said not all members of the adhoc committee were invited to Sunday’s meeting.

This is the second controversy involving the STGBM. On March 26, its organising general secretary resigned after complaining about the anomalies in the functioning of the committee.

Many believe the Manch which was initially formed to work for all round betterment of the Gorkha community in Siliguri was later hijacked by a handful of people. The vested group is sidelining other members having different opinions, said sources.

The Manch, according to insiders, wants to project itself as the true representative of the Gorkhas of Siliguri and seeks a development board for the Gorkhas of Terai and Siliguri.

It had supported the TMC in Siliguri during the last Assembly election. But Baichung Bhutia, the TMC candidate, lost.

The state government has already recognised the Dooars Siliguri Terai Bharatiya Nepali Development Forum (DSTBNDF) and formed a separate Gorkha Task Force for the development of the Gorkhas of Terai and Dooars.

The DSTBNDF formed by former leaders and supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has substantial support base in the region. The DSTBNDF helped the TMC to win at least two Assembly seats of Nagrakata and Kalchini.

Binni Sharma, a senior TMC leader from Darjeeling hills and who is also the president of STGBM, said, “I am in Kolkata… got my dad for treatment.” Padam Chettri said, “Giri had no time for the organisation.”