BJP's Bista praises Bimal Gurung : also appreciated the role of two other Hill-based leaders, who belong to anti-BJP camp

A front would be constituted to contest Darjeeling LS polls, under the leadership of Mr Gurung

SNS, SILIGURI, 29 MARCH 2024 : The BJP candidate for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat Raju Bista today strategically praised Gurkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) president Bimal Gurung at a time when the political observers have expressed doubt over Mr Gurung's role in the forthcoming general elections in this region.

Though Mr Gurung does not have a strong base in the Hills, Terai and Dooars region, a section of people, belonging to the Gurkha community, still is waiting for him ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

Mr Bista today left for Delhi.

Speaking to the reporters at Bagdogra Airport today, Mr Bista said: "Still I respect Bimal Gurung. I am especially indebted to Bimal Gutting for his contributions to my political life. I have become an MP and begun my political career following his contributions."

He also appreciated the role of two other Hill-based leaders, who belong to anti-BJP camp.

It was learnt that a front would be constituted to contest Darjeeling LS polls, under the leadership of Mr Gurung. But there is a doubt over formation of a front after a Hill based political party and other organisations have decided to extend support to the Congress as it has planned to field its candidate to take on both the TMC and the BJP in Darjeeling LS polls.

But the Congress is facing a crisis after the Hill-based Hamro Party president Ajoy Edwards joined the INDIA Bloc and projected former national president of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Dr Munish Tamang, who joined the Congress yesterday as a possible candidate for Darjeeling.

The Hill-based Congress leader Binoy Tamang, who is an Independent sabhasad of Gorkhaland Territorial Adminstration (GTA) and general secretary of the Congress in West Bengal, has protested against the proactive role of the Hamro Party.

The Congress general secretary Binay Tamang, speaking to a section of media, said: "The Congress High Command should nominate a candidate, who has been working for the party I don't have any objections if the candidate is selected from the plains."

Binoy Tamang is one of the contenders for Darjeeling LS seat. The Congress has not yet announced its candidate for Darjeeling.

When asked to comment. outgoing Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said, "The Congress was working in this region very seriously so that it can perform well but ultimately it has crushed the possibility It is Congress's old practice."

Mr Bista has also welcomed the decision of Ajoy Edwards to join hands with INDIA Bloc.

"Everyman has the constitutional right to work for alike-minded party. I welcome his decision if he works honestly in the interests of the Gorkhas and I would stand by him if he requires necessary support from my end," Mr Bista said.

Meanwhile, GJMM president Bimal Gurung today held a meeting with his party leaders and workers and asked them to assemble in Darjeeling Town on 1 April for filing nomination papers of a candidate.

Significantly, Mr Gurung didn't mention the name of the candidate.