SERIES OF EVENTS TO BOOST SUPPORT....... GNLF flurry after election victories

VIVEK CHHETT,RI - 01 Jul 2019, Darjeeling: The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) has gained fresh momentum after recent wins in the Lok Sabha and Darjeeling Assembly byelection, appearing to leave other hill parties behind in mobilising support.

On Sunday, Gorkha National Women Organisation, the women's wing of the front, marked Aashara Phandra in Darjeeling. Sowing of paddy starts from this day and traditionally, people eat beaten rice mixed with curd.

The ceremony capped a series of public events and engagements organised by the GNLF over the past week.

Last Sunday, the party organised a blood donation camp at Chowrasta to mark the 84th birth anniversary of A meeting of the women's front of the GNLF in Darjeeling on Sunday their leader, the late Subash Ghisingh.

On the same day, a steering committee meeting of the party was chaired by Ajoy Edwards in Darjeeling where the issue of Gorkha Record Office was discussed.

"The GNLF is going all out while other parties in the hills seem to be relatively in- active," said an observer. A GNLF leader admitted the party was focusing on strengthening its organisational strength.

"It is after many years that our cadres have found new enthusiasm. They are coming out in the open and actively taking part in various programmes," said the leader.

Since 2008 and following the rise of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the GNLF had been pushed to the margins in the hills.

However, following the BJP-GJM (Bimal)-GNLF alliance's win in the recent elections, the fortunes seem to be changing for GNLF.

Although BJP candidates won both elections -- Neeraj Zimba, GNLF leader contested the Darjeeling Assembly seat on a BJP ticket -- many believe it has helped the GNLF the most..