Parties press mute button on Gorkhaland

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 14 Apr 2019, Darjeeling : Gorkhaland appears to have made way for other issues this election season.The focus on other issues.

- such as land rights and minimum wages, which are high lighted occasionally has been more pronounced in the campaign.This is not to say the people aren't discussing statehood in the hills, only leaders of major parties are shying from uttering the “ G ” word, even in the hills.The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Binay Tamang) camp is not directly talking about Gorkhaland. The BJP is promising “a permanent political solution ”.This narrative is parroted by BJP allies GNLF and the Morcha's Bimal Gurung group.

Against this background, other issues like land rights,constitutional guaranteed administrative body, minimum wages for tea garden workers, lack of democracy, among others are finding prominence.

These issues are not new, but in the past they would often be drowned by the Gorkhaland slogan. In Darjeeling on Saturday, CPM general secretary.

Sitaram Yechury said “ we want to provide complete autonomy to the hills ”.The leader then stressed on issues like granting “ linguistic minority ”status to Gorkha/Nepali speakers in India. “ Linguistic minority status would allow setting up educational institutes. Members of the community will be given priority in higher studies and employment, apart from other benefits," said Yechury.

The CPM leader also proposed providing Darjeeling and other hilly areas of the country with facilities enjoyed by the north-eastern states. "There is the northeastern states and then Sikkim and between these two regions is Darjeeling. How can Darjeeling been denied of similar facilities?" said Yechury.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has spoken about providing land rights to those living in tea gardens and cinchona plantations. The issue of minimum wages for tea workers has also found prominence the Trinamul chief's speeches.

The BJP has promised tribal status for 11 hill communities in its manifesto this time around. Although the demand is old, it had not featured in the BJP's 2014 manifesto.

"If the promises and assurances are fulfilled, the hill region can expect some headway either on the land rights issue or tribal status issue, no matter which party wins this election," said an observer.

Also, no political party can be assured of not fulfilling the Gorkhaland demand, when it faces the parliament elections next time around.

Only Jana Andolan Party and Independents are articulating Gorkhaland in their speeches..