Binoy camp accused of planning booth capture

SNS, 30 April 2019, Darjeeling/ Siliguri: The Gorkha National liberation Front and the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (Bimal Gurung faction) today claimed that the other camp of the Morcha led by Binoy Tamang had been making plans to capture booths in the by-elections for the Darjeeling Assembly seat slated for 19 May.The two parties. however, said they would not allow such a thing to take place, and urged everyone, including party members, supporters and members of different clubs and organizations to remain alert and foil any at tempt by anyone to disturb free and fair polling.
GNIF leader Ajoy Edwards alleged that leaders of the Tamang camp had been threatening people, induding those who were polling agents in the recently held Lok Sabha elections.
"They (Binay camp) are maintaining that they want peace in the Hills, but are threatening our polling agents. Their leaders are threatening them, asking them not to stay as polling agents in the upcoming by-elections. All these point at them being scared of losing in the elections, and that is why they want to win by capturing booths. But we will not allow them to do that," said Mr Edwards, who added that they should not try to disturb peace in the Hills. "They will be held responsible if such a thing happens," he said.
The GNLF leader also alleged that the Tamang camp was behind the incident that took place yesterday where one 75-year-old Man Bahadur Gurung of Kaijaley was injured while returning from the rally that was taken out to file nomination papers for BJP candidate Neeraj Zimba in Darjeeling.
The GNLF is part of an alliance, along with the Morcha (Gurung camp), which is supporting Zimba, a GNLF leader, in the by-elections.
"In the afternoon yesterday Gurung,along with some others, were returning after the rally when at Jamuney stones were pelted at their vehicle and supporters of the Binoy camp were behind it, which can be evident from the speeches that are being made by their leader, where threats are being issued. We want to tell the people not to be scared as the days of fear are over," Mr Edwards said.
He also alleged that Mr Tamang had recently threatened employees in public that they would be transferred if they switched party affiliation. "If any such thing happens, we would raise our voice against it," he said.
"We feel that the district administration and the police should call an all-party meeting to discuss these issues so that peace is not disturbed in the Hills," he added.
Asked to comment on the allegations, Morcha Tamang camp leader, Keshav Raj Pokhrel, said, "These are all baseless allegations, as they know they will lose in both the elections. They just want to make excuses. It was in the hills that the most peaceful elections were held last time, with central forces deployed in all the polling booths."
Mr Pokhrel alleged that it was the alliance of the GNLF that was distributing money to people, " who were getting drunk and fighting among themselves."
Meanwhile BJP Lok Sabha candidate Raju Bista told a press conference here that panchayat election would be held in the Hills after the BJP government is formed at the Centre. Rural elections have not taken place for many years in the Hills.
On the other hand, fugitive Morcha leader Bimal Gurung also alleged that the Tamang camp had been making conspiracies to capture polling booths.
"Money is being distributed so they get the support, but one should remember that our people are not for sale and I appeal to all to remain alert about all this," Mr Gurung said in an audio clip he sent in his party's WhatsApp group.