Swaraj chants consensus

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 28 Mar 2019, Darjeeling: Swaraj Thapa, who recently quit the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Bimal) group and has filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Darjeeling seat, is making a last-ditch attempt to evolve a "consensus" candidate from within those within the fray.

Thapa, who had surprised many by filing his nomination, on Wednesday clarified that his decision was taken with "the intent of sending a strong message that there are capable people in Darjeeling region who can represent us in Parliament." Thapa had resigned from the Morcha (Bimal) to protest "against the idea of foisting a candidate for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat who is a rank outsider, has little political background and absolutely no knowledge or interest about the issues regarding Darjeeling, including its core issue of Gorkhaland." This was after GNLF, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Bimal) and BJP have fielded Raju Bista, a Gorkha who hails from Manipur.

On Wednesday, Thapa said "Central political parties must understand that people of Darjeeling cannot be taken for granted and treated like captive votebank who will blindly cast their vote for anyone, especially outsiders, whomsoever you decide to field." The former journalist said that he would now make a last attempt to work out a consensus candidate.

"I am in touch with Harka Bahadur Chhetri (president,JAP) and R.B.Rai (president, CPRM). I will also reach out to GNLF as they had proposed the idea of consensus candidate," said Thapa. Both Chhetri and Rai have also filed their nominations..