TMC using Binay for hill control: BJP

A poster bearing Gurung's picture being taken down at the Morcha office in Kalimpong on Saturday

Kousik Sen, TT, Raiganj, Oct. 7: Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh today alleged that the Trinamul Congress was using rebel Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Binay Tamang to gain control of the Darjeeling hills and iterated his support for Bimal Gurung.

Ghosh, who met BJP workers in North Dinajpur's Islampur and Raiganj, accused Trinamul of organising "planned attacks" in the hills.

"Trinamul is using its agents to gain absolute control of the hills. The party has hired miscreants to intimidate and attack leaders and workers of other political parties. Those who attacked us in Darjeeling  (on Thursday) are close to Binay Tamang and can be seen around him," the BJP leader said.

Ghosh said the party had video footage to back the claims. "Also, we want to make it clear that by organising such attacks and issuing threats, they won't be able to stop the BJP or me," he told reporters.

Ghosh said the BJP would continue to support its ally, the Morcha. Gurung and several other top leaders of the Morcha are on the run because of the numerous cases lodged against them during the statehood agitation.

"The Morcha is our ally and we will stand by it. We have learnt that a Morcha office has been captured (in Kalimpong) by some people acting at the behest of Trinamul. Trinamul has taken over offices of other parties in various other parts of the state," Ghosh said.

Trinamul leaders said Ghosh and other BJP leaders, including some central ministers, were in touch with Gurung and Roshan Giri, who are wanted in various cases.

"Although Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri have such serious charges against them, these BJP leaders are keeping contact with them. We feel police should ask these people about the whereabouts of the Morcha leaders," minister and Trinamul secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said in Calcutta.