Return plea to Binay..... Tamang led candlelight rally in Darjeeling

Tamang leads the rally in Darjeeling. Picture by 
Passang Yolmo

TT, Calcutta, Sept. 6: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today released an audio clip of Bimal Gurung appealing to "expelled" leaders Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa to "amend" their "mistakes" and "return" to the party.

The 21-minute audio recording was released at two Morcha rallies in Darjeeling and Kurseong. Political analysts saw in the move - which coincided with an arrest warrant against Gurung and others - an attempt by the Morcha president to resume contact with the hill residents after days of absence that had apparently led to the elevation of Tamang in the ranks.

"Anit bhai and Binay bhai, when you were in jail, I had helped you. I was your guardian then. But whatever you are doing now, Binay bhai, even your son will question you some day. If you can return (to the party), return... for how long will you hold Bengal's hand? A mistake might have been made.... But if you can amend it, then return. We all are one and need to work for the community together," Gurung is heard saying in Nepali.

"Those making allegations against me should prove them. It is because of the conspirators that the Kanchenjungha Public School has been acquired by the administration."

The school is a pet project of Gurung. It is alleged that the school, with which his son and daughter are associated, has encroached on tea garden land. The police have registered a case in this regard.

Later in the evening, Tamang led a candlelight rally with 250-odd Darjeeling residents for restoration of peace in the hills.

"I don't know what wrong I have done. If Gurung wants to lead the agitation, he should be at the ground zero and not in Sikkim," Tamang said when told about the audio clip.

The "expelled" leader said he would hold a public meeting in Darjeeling on September 9.