Hint at Binay's rising relevance

Tamang takes charge as the chairman of the GTA's board of administrators on September 25

TT, Siliguri, Oct. 3: The Bengal government's well planned moves to catapult Binay Tamang into the prominent position in the hill politics seem to have started yielding desired results.

The rebel Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader's rising popularity and relevance can be gauged from the steady stream of visitors from different walks of life he gets as the chairman of the board of administrators (BoA) to run the GTA and as someone close to the state government.

Sources in the Tamang camp said that people from across the hills were visiting him was an endorsement of his status as a tall leader in the hills.

"There are many people who have been implicated in police cases during the latest Gorkhaland movement. They approach Tamang as they know only he is standing beside them. Tamang had demanded at the second round of bipartite talks (held at Uttarkanya here on September 12) that all the cases be withdrawn. Besides, he had called on Morcha leaders and workers jailed in connected with the violence during the agitation," said a source in the Tamang camp.

These people are well aware of Tamang's proximity to the Mamata Banerjee government and want his intervention to avoid further trouble like arrests.

"State ministers and officials had made it clear that those perpetrated violence during the agitation would face legal steps. Many Morcha leaders and supporters wanted in one or more cases have been arrested. So, those facing the prospects of arrests can only look towards Tamang for help," said an observer.

A source has said another reason for the large number of visitors to Tamang's office is his new avatar as the GTA head.

"Many youths who work as contractors in the GTA are yet to get their bills cleared. Also, new works have not been assigned by the GTA in the past four-five months. As Tamang had declared that he would strive for peace and focus on development, these people want fresh works as well as the payment of their dues," said the source.

In such a situation, the observer said, one shouldn't be surprised if the support base of Tamang swelled in due course.

"Tamang has managed to drive home the point that he is not working against the interest of the hill population. If he could help people as the chairman (of the BoA of the GTA), there is no reason for them to keep away from him," said the observer.