In run-up to LS polls, some Darjeeling political leaders gravitating towards Congress

A section of the Hill based political leaders who support the Gorkhaland movement has decided to go with the Congress keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha Polls with a view to achieving the movement’s goals.

MANAS R BANNERJEE | SNS |  SILIGURI | February 5, 2024: A section of the Hill based political leaders who support the Gorkhaland movement has decided to go with the Congress keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha Polls with a view to achieving the movement’s goals. When a group of leaders like Binoy Tamang, Ajoy Edwards and other political activists joined the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which covered North Bengal including Siliguri in Darjeeling district on 28 January, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista took on the Congress.

The anti-BJP and anti-Trinamul Congress political leaders, who want to keep in touch with power in the Centre, believe that the Darjeeling Hills achieved three things when the Congress was in power in the Centre. According to Ajoy Edwards, the Darjeeling people were happy with the Congress following recognition of Nepali language under 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Even the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) and then Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) both were set up when the Congress was in power in the Centre, Mr Edwards pointed out before joining hands with Rahul Gandhi and his Yatra which started from Manipur.

On the other hand, the BJP’s national spokesperson Raju Bista, who is an MP from Darjeeling, criticised the Congress on various issues including that of Kalimpong. “The Congress party’s crimes against the Gorkhas and the North Bengal region are deeply rooted. From Nehru’s distrust of Gorkhas to labeling Kalimpong as a “Nest of Spies,” Congress has consistently marginalised the Gorkha community. They removed Gorkhas as a protected class in tribal belt and Blocks, and instead labelled the Gorkhas as ‘Doubtful Voters’ in Assam,” MP Raju Bista said, adding, “The atrocities against our region include political marginalisation, forced division of constituencies, removing Mal-Mateili out of Darjeeling Constituency, and diverting the aspirations of our region and people through deceptive mechanisms like DGHC and GTA. It was the Congress government that labelled thousands of youths as Naxalites and ruined the lives of thousands of families.” “In contrast, the BJP has demonstrated commitment and action.

It was under the Vajpayee government that Scheduled Tribe status was granted to the Limbu and Tamang communities. It is the BJP government that has removed Gorkhas as D-Voters in Assam, included them as a Protected Class in Tribal Belts, and taken back Gorkha cases from Foreigners Tribunals,” Mr Bista claimed. “Moreover, it is the BJP government that is working towards granting ST Status to the 11 leftout Gorkha sub-tribes, and Constitutional solution for our region. It is the BJP government that is ensuring justice to the people of our Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars, and the development of our North Bengal region,” he added. “The choice is clear. While the Congress has only diverted and deceived, the BJP is committed to justice for the people of the North Bengal region. Let there be no doubt – the BJP stands for progress, equality, and genuine representation for the people,” the MP said.