Gurung off flags

Flag bearing Bimal Gurung's picture replaced by the flag used in 2007

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, Oct. 7: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha rebel Binay Tamang's supporters today removed party flags and posters bearing Bimal Gurung's pictures in Kalimpong and celebrated the Morcha's foundation day while the party's on-the-run chief issued a message saying his "heart cries".

With Gurung and his lieutenants in hiding because of the cases lodged against them during the statehood agitation, his faction failed to organise any major event to mark the party's 11th anniversary.

In contrast, party rebel Tamang reinforced his growing importance by declaring "we have arrived" and leading his group's celebrations in the heart of Darjeeling town. He ripped into Morcha ally BJP and its Bengal chief Dilip Ghosh.

"In Kalimpong, you (Ghosh) had said that Gurung was the only leader in the hills. I shall visit Kalimpong on October 11 just to meet the people. I won't hold any public meeting, but Ghosh will have to eat his words," Tamang said.

Benoy Ghisingh, former secretary of the Morcha youth wing from Kalimpong, said: "We replaced the flags bearing an individual's image with the main party flag because we have come forward for Gorkhaland and not in support of any individual."

Only about 500 people attended the Darjeeling event, though, indicating Tamang had some way to go in being considered a popular leader.

Tamang and his loyalists focused their speeches on the statehood demand to try and bolster their support base.

Tamang, who has the Bengal government's backing, said there would be no further strikes in the hills. "We have now arrived," he added.

Gurung conceded in an audio message to journalists that his supporters were facing problems.

"All this has happened after the birth of two-three Mir Zafars (traitors) in our ranks.... Today, the heart cries, it pains, but we must not be disheartened as the people are still with us," he said.