Will do everything to ensure development in Hills: Mamata

Amitava Banerjee MP | 21 January 2019 | Darjeeling: With the new-found success in rallying the anti-BJP forces at the historic Brigade Parade Ground, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will now focus on Darjeeling constituency. During her ongoing visit, she will interact with the Hill outfits to check the advances of the saffron camp in the constituencies, feel political observers. 

Interestingly, the BJP's political journey in Bengal had started from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. Riding piggyback on the Gorkhaland demand, the BJP heavyweight candidates managed to emerge victorious from Darjeeling backed by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in 2009 and again in 2014, thereby, gaining a foothold in Bengal politics.

However, the drastic change in the Hill's political equations following the agitation and the 105-day-long bandh in 2017 has resulted in the BJP taking a back seat. There is widespread resentment over the BJP's calculated silence during the unrest, despite having a heavyweight MP from the constituency.

With the change of guards in the GJM and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) emerging as an important power centre, the Chief Minister will now take both these forces into confidence and majorly succeed in the Hills, feel observers. 

During the five-day-long visit to Darjeeling, she will be meeting leaders of both the GJM and GNLF. Binay Tamang, president, GJM, was present at the Brigade Parade Ground and has already pledged support to the anti-BJP coalition.

Sources state that a six-member GNLF delegation led by president Mann Ghising will be meeting Mamata Banerjee in Darjeeling on January 22. 

Talking to newsmen in Kolkata before boarding the flight to Bagdogra, Banerjee mentioned that Mann Ghising would be meeting her in Darjeeling. A GNLF source stated that the party will be submitting a memorandum to her at the Richmond Hill on January 22. 

"The memorandum will stress on the 6th Scheduled status to the Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hills. There has to be an administrative setup with a constitutional guarantee. If the Chief Minister's response is positive, then we will have the political space to approach our supporters and decide on a collective move for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections," stated the source.

The Chief Minister in her address at the Uttarbanga Utsav in Siliguri on Monday stated that there are constant attempts of creating unrest in the Darjeeling Hills. "However, we are with the Hills. We will do everything within our capacity to ensure development in the Hills. Development, inclusiveness and humanity are pillars of our brand of politics. I want a peaceful and beautiful Darjeeling. We will give you everything. You don't have to ask the Centre," she assured. 

Along with holding political parlays, the Chief Minister will also be attending the state government-organised birth anniversary celebrations at the Darjeeling Chowrasta on January 23. It is scheduled to start at 2 pm and will include inauguration and laying of foundation stone of various projects. Distribution of government benefit schemes to beneficiaries will also take place.