`Defection' alarm bells in Hamro Party: Until Edwards's announcement, the two GTA members had neither resigned from the party nor joined the "party in power

Edwards took to social media on Tuesday night to allege that Pramaskar Blone. GTA Sabha member from Ghoom-Jorebunglow constituency, and Bhupendra Chettri, GTA Sabha member from Goke-Bijanbari, were leaving his party

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 26 October 2022, Darjeeling: Ajoy Edwards, president of Hamro Party which managed to stitch a formidable opposition in hill politics after more than 30 years, bid "farewell" to two of the party's elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Sabha members, exposing cracks in the Opposition camp within four months of the GTA elections.

Edwards took to social media on Tuesday night to allege that Pramaskar Blone. GTA Sabha member from Ghoom-Jorebunglow constituency, and Bhupendra Chettri, GTA Sabha member from Goke-Bijanbari, were leaving his party

"For the past 4 to 5 days we were hearing that GTA Sabha members Pramaskar Blone and Bhupendra Chettri would be joining a party in power.... These two brothers, for personal gains; for cars, for departments, they are leaving us.... This happens in politics, I want to bid you farewell," said Edwards.

Until Edwards's announcement, the two GTA members had neither resigned from the party nor joined the "party in power", the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM).

During the June elections, Hamro Party had managed to win eight of the 45 GTA seats with three other GTA members deciding to sit in the opposition bench, the hills were witnessing a formidable Opposition voice for the first time since the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) swept the hill politics in 1988.

Edwards obliquely stated that the BGPM was trying to break the Opposition as they were raising voices in the GTA.

"However, even if I am alone I will continue to be an Opposition voice," said Edwards.

Blone, who is also a vice-president of the party, did not take calls from this newspaper. Chettri, however, expressed surprise at the developments.

"I have not officially resigned (from Hamro Party). It is surprising that a guess is being made for not picking up the phone. Also, the party has a central committee but the social media announcement seems to have been made unilaterally (by Edwards)," said Chhetri who added that given the impromptu farewell, he had no choice but to "tender resignation."

Chettri admitted that there were some communication problems within the party after Puja and talked about both Edwards and him not taking calls.

"Last two days I could not take calls (from Edwards) because of Diwali," said Chettri.

The Bijanbari GTA Sabha member said that he is responsible for the development of his constituency. "I along with my team will decide if we will stay independent or join hands with some party," said Chettri.

The BGPM, which is in complete control of the GTA with support of 33 members, also made a scathing attack on Edwards.

"He should learn to keep his house in order and do serious introspection...," said Amar Lama, general secretary, the BGPM. The BGPM is in Opposition in Darjeeling municipality where Hamro Party is in power.