Gurung misled people: Tamang faction; GNLF to wait & watch

If he had understood this earlier, there would not have been many shaheed, along with many having to go to jail. When we understood this, we were labelled betrayers of Gorkhaland even though we had taken the decision at that time to save our area and people. In the end, he is making his decision for personal safety and security. So what does that make him now? 

Deep Gazmer | TNN | Oct 22, 2020 | Darjeeling: Bimal Gurung’s dramatic appearance in Kolkata and his support for chief minister Mamata Banerjee had its reverberations in the Hills. Indicative of fresh political faultlines, the Binoy Tamang faction of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) — an ally of the ruling Trinamool Congress — sidestepped questions on whether both GJM factions will work together. 

Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), which is in alliance with GJM’s Gurung faction and BJP, maintained a stoic silence on the issue. 

Tamang faction leader Anit Thapa said: “If he had understood this earlier, there would not have been many shaheed, along with many having to go to jail. When we understood this, we were labelled betrayers of Gorkhaland even though we had taken the decision at that time to save our area and people. In the end, he is making his decision for personal safety and security. So what does that make him now? 

He added: “In front of people, he has become dishonest. People still had hope in him but he has misled them, which is proven by today’s event. We have never lied and whatever we said, he is saying the same thing now.” 

Other Tamang faction leaders were more critical. “He (Gurung) left the 2017 agitation and activists without a direction, fearing only for his life. Several people were killed and jailed during the 2008, 2013 and 2017 agitations but he had not done anything for them. This shows he is selfish and an opportunist,” said Keshavraj Pokhrel, central committee spokesperson for the Tamang faction. 

Pokhrel labelled Gurung a trader of votes and asked Hills people to beware of such unscrupulous leaders. 

“The 2021 election is round the corner. Gurung has now come back again as a ‘vyapari’ (trader) in the market of votes. He should not be trusted,” Pokhrel said. 

Tamang and Thapa had risked all to bring stability and peace to the Hills while opening the doors to development, he added. “We will continue to work for the people. He (Tamang) has not lied to people and worked transparently, which is there for everyone to see,” Pokhrel said. 

GNLF refused to elaborate on the development. “There is confusion. If things were fixed with the TMC, then why was the Gorkha Bhawan gate not opened for Gurung? We will wait and watch and comment only after Gurung gives a statement,” said Ajoy Edwards, the GNLF Darjeeling branch president. 

GNLF’s Sandeep Limbu refused comment, maintaining they would see further developments. 

The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists said the primary agenda of a separate state stood to be diluted if Gurung shook hands with the Bengal government. “We feel he (Gurung) is trying to make some kind of adjustment with Bengal because he is finding it hard. Several cases have been tagged against him,” said Govind Chhetri, CPRM spokesperson. 

Chhetri said the issue of Gorkhaland should not be affected. “There is confusion. How can Gurung shake hands with TMC, which is dead against division. He (Gurung) went underground because of Gorkhaland,” the CPRM leader said. 

Jan Andolan Party (JAP) leaders said it would be a mockery of law if Gurung settled for an understanding with the TMC government. “How can the state government reach an understanding with a person who is an absconder and has several cases against his name, including under UAPA. In fact, it is foolish of us to blame TMC or BJP when our own leader is compromised,” said Amar Lama, senior bureau member of JAP. 

Lama refused to dwell further on the issue since nothing was clear at the moment but said the 2021 election could be affected. “If Gurung returns, the assembly election can be polarized. Which party stands to benefit, this we will have to see in the coming days,” he said.

(Courtesy & source- Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/gurung-misled-people-tamang-faction-gnlf-to-wait-watch/articleshow/78798572.cms)