Hill TMC leaders slam Gurung, GJM

HT, 9 Aug 2016, DARJEELING: Trinamool has dubbed Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung’s threat for another round of agitation as a tool to instil fear in the Hills in the run-up to municipal polls in the Darjeeling Hills.

Addressing a rally in Darjeeling on Monday, Rajen Mukhia, president, TMC Darjeeling District Committee (Hills), said, “Whenever Darjeeling goes to elections, GJM raises the Gorkhaland issue and calls for an agitation. The agitation is to instil fear among voters. They have turned the Gorkhaland demand into a begging bowl.”

Incidentally, the past few days has seen Gurung issuing repeated threats of resurrecting the Gorkhaland agitation. He has even hinted at an armed struggle.

Irked by not being allowed to address the gathering on the occasion of the birth anniversary commemoration of Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya organised by the Bengal government in Darjeeling on July 11, attended by President Pranab Mukherjee, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, and chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Gurung has been issuing threats.

Relations with the Bengal government further soured with the blanket categorisation of all Hill residents under Antordaya Annya Yojna (AAY) in digital ration cards. Gurung claimed the AAY cards are for refugees and the state government is hatching a conspiracy to dub the Gorkhas residing in Bengal as refugees in order to dilute the Gorkhaland demand. He has threatened to repeal the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and walk the agitation path.

“Gurung always embarks on an agitation of convenience. Whenever he is in a tight spot, whenever the party needs money or has to terrorise the masses the GJM calls for an agitation. The Hill populace has become conscious now and will no more tolerate Gurung’s agitation gimmick. Why do you need an armed revolution just to stop AAY ration cards?” said Mukhia.

;"> The TMC Hills president said it has become Gurung’s habit to give a call for the final phase of the Gorkhaland agitation. “From 2007 to 2011 the GJM agitated and settled for GTA. Again in 2013, Gurung gave a call for the final phase of agitation.”

Women tonsured their head, men rolled on the streets. Gurung resigned from the post of GTA chief but got himself reinstated in a few days. In 2015 again, he gave another call for the final phase of agitation whereby he claimed he would walk 9 lakh km for Gorkhaland. That too fizzled out.

“In all the final phases the GJM leaders sat back while the public took part in the agitation bearing the brunt. This time, however, the public should demand that the sons and daughters of GJM leaders be brought to the fore during the agitation.”

Mukhia alleged Gurung was waylaying the public.

“Let Gurung prove his claims that AAY ration card holders are not issued passports; are not allowed to open bank accounts and are not allowed to travel in AC and 1st class in trains. If he can prove this I will resign from politics,” challenged Mukhia.

Mukhia claimed that CM Mamata Banerjee is sincere about the Hills and has stood by the public of the Hills thick and thin. “The GJM wants a CM who does not visit the Hills; does not indulge in development activities and looks the other way ignoring the rampant corruption and nepotism,” alleged the TMC Hills president.

He said that owing to Banerjee, peace has returned to the Hills and so have a record number of tourists. “With threats of agitation the promising Puja tourist season is all set to be spoilt. Already cancellations of bookings have begun,” said Mukhia.

Echoing similar sentiments, TMC leader NB Khawas said this time the Hills will witness election and not selection.

The four Hills civic bodies (Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik) are set to go to polls in November or December 2016. “The Hills have always been swimming against the current. This time let us flow with the current. Let us not indulge in politics of emotions but let us all join hands for politics of reality,” said Khawas.