Gurung lashes out at Tamang camp leaders- criticized a statement made by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on the size of his shoes

SNS,  MIRIK, 24 FEBRUARY 21: On a tour of Mirik sub-division for some days now, leader of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha Bimal Gurung today took a dig at leaders of the other faction of the Morcha led by Binoy Tamang.

Mr Gurung questioned how some leaders of the other faction, "who were involved" in the murder of All India Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang in Darjeeling, had been given jobs as teachers in schools. He also alleged that the leaders had been taking cash from candidates for such appointments in schools under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

"How can someone who is involved in the murder of Madan Tamang be given appointments in schools as teachers until and unless the legal case is settled? The main culprits are the likes of Alok Kanta Mani Thulung, Kismat, Kaila, Nagendra Pradhan. They are the main culprits who went ahead and started the violence (when Tamang was killed in broad daylight in Darjeeling town)," Mr Gurung told reporters at Nol Dara near Mirik in Darjeeling.

"Why are these leaders speaking up today? They have earned a lot of money and leading a luxurious life. Tomorrow, as their political scenario ends them, they will all flee to Nepal. They will not be able to stay here," he added.

Mr Gurung also highlighted the worsening condition of the newly-constructed road connecting Nol Dara with Phuguri. "People of Nol Dara had served me a memorandum in 2015 regarding this road and I had added the same in both the projects of the RADF and PMGSY. The road project was sanctioned by the GTA recently, but the bitumen laid on this road is as thin as a wafer. While the work is meant to be of Rs 20 crore, it seems not even Rs 5 crore has been spent on it," he alleged.

"Binoy (Tamang) and and Anit (Thapa) have interfered as partners in each and every construction project and development work of the GTA, and the people are not getting the infrastructure they deserve," he further alleged.

According to him, Mr Tamang and Mr Thapa and his son own "acres and acres of land" in the Terai region.

"The widespread corruption by the administrators of the GTA-2 has left our hills hollow, and this should be stopped immediately," he said.

Mr Gurung also criticized a statement made by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on the size of his shoes. "It is unbecoming of a person of his (Bista) stature to utter such words in a public gathering." Mr Basta had yesterday told a public meeting in Darjeeling that he knew every "secret" of Mr Gurung, including the size of his shoes.

According to Mr Gurung, Mr Bista had once gifted him a pair of shoes, but that he did not wear them and "speed-posted" them back to the MP

"You say that you will unfold my secrets, but let me remind you of your doings and sayings. I have proof of each and every thing. Don't challenge me in releasing all of them to the public," Mr Gurung said, referring to Mr Bista.