TMC Leader Files Nomination as Independent Candidate For Darjeeling Assembly By-Polls

Wepen, April 30, 2019: Monday, the last day of filing of nominations for the Darjeeling Assembly By-polls had its share of surprises. The Trinamool Congress suffered a major jolt with the President of the TMC Women’s wing filing her nomination as an independent. Swaraj Thapa, former Advisor to GTA and a former leader of the GJM (Bimal faction) also filed his nomination backed by the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM.)

10 persons have filed nominations for the Darjeeling By-polls. At around 2:30 pm on Monday, Sarda Rai Subba made an appearance at the Darjeeling Collectorate to file her nomination. Later talking to media persons, she made it clear that her disgruntlement was with GJM President Binoy Tamang and not with the TMC or with Mamata Banerjee.

“They (read GJM) are trying to finish our party in the Hills. They have not helped our cadres and in case any of our cadres seek help from them, they make sure that they first join the GJM (Binoy faction)” alleged Subba making an oblique remark aimed at Binoy Tamang in his former capacity as the Chairman, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

Sarda Rai Subba went on to state that the that Tamang is equally to blame for the suffering of the masses during the 105 day bandh of 2017. “It is the common man who suffered and not the leaders. Our cadres were displaced. Many have not been rehabilitated yet. The general public suffered. The tea garden workers suffered and they have not been paid the 3 month of wages. We only know what we went through,” declared Subba.

TMC has contested the Lok Sabha elections backed by the GJM (Binoy faction.) The GJM MLA Amar Singh Rai had been fielded as the TMC candidate. The Assembly seat had fallen vacant owing to this. For the by-polls the TMC has not fielded any candidate and instead extended “full support” to the GJM. Binoy Tamang, the GJM President is contesting backed by the TMC.

“As per the orders of our party Chief, Mamata Didi, I had done everything within my capacity for the Lok Sabha candidate. He was a TMC candidate. However this time we do not have any candidate. Many of our supporters wanted me to contest hence I have filed my nomination” stated a peeved Subba.

When questioned whether she will resign from the party, Subba said “I will not resign. I will have to wait and see as to what action my party takes against me. However I do not think Didi will order any action against me. She knows that I have been with her in the Hills from the very first day and have worked for the organization from the very grass roots. I have been through thick and thing with my party” stated Subba.

When questioned as to whether she would withdraw her candidature if requests came from the TMC leadership. “My future action will depend on what our supporters want, the ones who are supporting me and asked me to contest” stated Subba.

Subba had contested the 2016 Assembly polls in 2016 from Darjeeling and had secured 45,473 votes.

In another turn of events, Swaraj Thapa filed nomination as an independent candidate. Earlier during the Lok Sabha elections he was in the fray but had later withdrawn. This time the CPRM is supporting him. Sources state that the Congress is likely to back Thapa’s candidature also.

“We will work towards reinstating democracy in Darjeeling so that people can enjoy true freedom and not have to face any form of suppression. We will also work for true aspiration of the Gorkhas- Gorkhaland,” stated Thapa.