Tamang announces `seclusion' from TMC

SNS, SIIIGURI, 28 DECEMBER 2022:  Trinamool Congress leader in the Hills Binoy Tamang today announced his "seclusion" from the party. Stating that democracy in the Hills was at stake, Mr Tamang further urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene and "stop the attacks on democracy, and rampant corruption." Mr Tamang, who had yesterday hinted at him leaving the party, said he was ready to "accept" any disciplinary action that the party might take against him anytime. 

"I urge the All-India Trinamool Congress and the TMC (Hills) to not include me or my name in any party event henceforth," Mr Tamang said. "Democracy in Darjeeling is under great threat now. Trans frontier political outfits are remote-controlling some leaders of Darjeeling Hills and the foothills of Darjeeling district. 

It is a matter of great concern for the nation's security, integrity and sovereignty," he said in a statement. Mr Tamang, a former Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha leader, made the announcement hours after the Hamro Party-led board at the Darjeeling Municipality was "toppled" by the Anit Thapa- led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) in a no-confidence motion today.

"In order to restore democracy, to stop corruption and to achieve the constitutional justice to the people of Darjeeling Hills,Terai and Dooars and the Gorkhas, I will pay my blood, toil, tears and sweat with utmost sincerity and honesty, and I am dedicating the rest of my life for my community and the people of this region," Mr Tamang said in the statement. 

He added that the "next phase of my political activities" will come up very soon. "I am waiting to see what decisive steps the Bengal government and the Trinamool Congress take to stop the attacks on democracy and rampant corruption (in the Hills), while I also urge the Honourable Chief Minister Miss Mamata Banerjee to intervene," Mr Tamang said. Mr Tamang had joined the TMC on 24 December last year. Following that, the TMC performed well in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration elections, winning five of the 10 seats it had contested in. Earlier, he had disassociated himself from the Bimal Gurung-led GJMM in 2017 and had led another faction of the party. 

Deb says not important 

Senior Trinamul Congress leader and Sillguri Mayor Gautam Deb said the "agenda of Binoy Tamang's resignation" had been scripted much earlier. "Everyone is aware of where and with whom Binoy Tamang attended a meeting in Delhi. Whatever he is saying now, the agenda of his resignation was readied earlier.] He joined the Trinamul Congress after associating himself with other parties. Now, it is his decision, and I do not think the issue should be seen as something big," Mr Deb said. Mr Tamang and Hamro Party chief Ajoy Edwards had attended a two-day seminar on the Gorkhaland demand organised by the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha in Delhi recently. Contesting Mr Tamang's allegations of "rampant corruptions' in the Hills, the former, minister said the Mamata Banerjee-led state government had adopted a zero tolerance on such activities. 

Dramatic, says Asok 

Veteran .Marxist leader Asok Bhattachraya termed Mr Tamang's resignation as "dramatic." Mr Bhattacharya said the statements of Mr Tamanag were dramatic. "If he (Tamang) has truly understood that both Trinamul Congress and the BJP are not sincere about development in the Hills, and they do not want stability, but instigate instability, then I welcome this," he said.