Binay hunger strike plan - Axed Morcha leader eyes statehood vantage point

Binay Tamang at his Darjeeling home

TT, Calcutta, Sept. 9: Expelled Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Binay Tamang today announced a fast-unto-death to press for the Gorkhaland demand but added he would decide on the date after the meeting called by the Bengal government on September 12.

Sources said Tamang's decision was aimed at reinforcing his commitment to the statehood cause at a time there is a feeling in the Darjeeling hills that he had received the patronage of the state government. The other reason, the sources said, was to mount pressure on the Bimal Gurung lobby, which expelled him.

"After the September 12 meeting in Siliguri, we will organise a public meeting in Darjeeling. At that rally, we will announce the date of the fast-unto-death, which will be to demand Gorkhaland," Tamang said in Darjeeling.

Tamang and the other Morcha rebels have urged other hill parties to join the hunger strike.

He pointed out that he wanted to go on a fast much earlier but was dissuaded by Gurung, mounting pressure on the Morcha chief at a time the indefinite strike has entered its 87th day but not much headway has been made.

"I had earlier announced that I would sit on an indefinite hunger strike from July 15. But two days after the announcement, Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri cancelled it and instead directed the youth wing of the party to organise a hunger strike. Now, Bimal Gurung must explain why I was stopped from going ahead with the fast-unto-death for Gorkhaland," Tamang said.

Nabanna sources said Tamang's announcement today did not surprise the government brass as it felt he should make efforts to win the hearts of the people in the hills, which would make him the "undisputed leader" of the region at a time Gurung was on the run as he is wanted in several cases.

"It has to be accepted that there is a pro-Gorkhaland sentiment among the common people in the hills. The government wants somebody like Tamang, who is not a hardliner like Gurung, to lead the agitation so that talks can continue. There is nothing wrong if Tamang wants to win over the hill people," an official said.

The government feels Tamang should be given some time to take control of the agitation, the official added.

Tamang pointed to the absence of Gurung and Morcha general secretary Giri from the forefront of the agitation.

"Had they allowed us to sit on a hunger strike, more pressure could have been exerted. At this point, there are no political programmes. The suffering of common people is increasing," Tamang said.

He said the Morcha leaders appeared "confused", referring to Gurung's earlier decision not to attend the September 12 meeting and later change of mind.

For the first time since June 29, no rally was held today in Darjeeling town in support of Gorkhaland. Since morning, the police patrolled the area near Darjeeling railway station, the usual starting point of such rallies.

A State Bank of India branch opened in Kurseong today, but all other business establishments remained closed.