'Gorkhaland an Emotion': Vote Hinges on Permanent Solution for Hills, Identity in Darjeeling Lok Sabha Seat

The Gorkhaland Movement has given the Darjeeling constituency a distinct political character. Hyperlocal parties with ethnic identity enjoy natural support, and those who demand a separate state have sided with the BJP since 2009

The Gorkha War Memorial stands on the Batasia Loop, which is a spiral track created to lower the gradient of ascent of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. (Image: Special arrangement)

Kamalika Sengupta, News 18,  APRIL 11, 2024 , Darjeeling :  Once known as the ‘Queen of Hills’ for being a summer resort of the British, Darjeeling became the epicentre of the Gorkhaland Movement giving it a distinct political character. The mesmerising backdrop of the Kangchenjunga and the heritage toy train aside, the scenic hill station in West Bengal has witnessed violence since the 1980s — the last such protest being in 2017 — over the demand for a separate state.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, News18 travelled to Darjeeling to take a stock of the constituency that will go to polls in the second phase on April 26.

Darjeeling is blessed with the mighty Kangchenjunga as a permanent backdrop, making it one of the most scenic hill stations of India. (Image: News18)

Darjeeling is characterised by hyperlocal parties with an ethnic identity. A considerable section of people, who support the Gorkhaland demand, have been voting for the BJP that has been winning here since 2009. Jaswant Singh and SS Ahluwalia, who is the Asansol candidate this time, have both been MPs from the hill station.

The constituency has seven assembly segments with three in the hills and four in the plains. In the 2019 general elections, the BJP took the lead in six of these constituencies. In its manifesto last time, the BJP had said it will provide a permanent solution to the Gorkhaland issue – a promise it has reiterated this time.

Another interesting player this time is the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, which has been floated by Anit Thapa and has tied up with the Trinamool Congress. It has fielded former bureaucrat Gopal Lama against the BJP’s Raju Bista. Will Darjeeling remain saffron or will there be change in the hills?

Though the mercury is soaring high in the plains, it is cool and soothing in the hills of Darjeeling. There are not many markers of an upcoming election in the form of banners and festoons, but that does not mean pre-poll activity is missing.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs between the hill station and New Jalpaiguri. (Image: News18)

‘WE WILL VOTE FOR GORKHALAND’

The Gorkha War Memorial stands on the Batasia Loop, which is a spiral track created to lower the gradient of ascent of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Many have come to savour momos for breakfast at this popular tourist destination.

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Darjeeling has mostly remained peaceful for the past few years. Strikes, bandhs and violence were last seen in 2017, but the demand for Gorkhaland is still alive in a major section of the people making it a hot topic in election season.

“We will vote for Gorkhaland. We have hope that Modi ji will give us a permanent solution, and he has always stood by his word; for us, our identity is important,” Sangeeta Thapa, who sells momos in the area, told News18.

“We definitely want development, but our priority is our identity. Modi said in his manifesto in 2019 that there will be a permanent solution. Gorkhaland is an emotion. There has been no bandh or strike for the past four years and we are waiting for a permanent solution; we believe only the BJP can give it to us,” said another shopkeeper Rakesh Tamang.

Most of the shopkeepers spoke in favour of Gorkhaland and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can deliver on this promise. “Raju Bista is one MP who has always been with us in the last five years. So, I believe that if anybody can really show us the way, it is Raju Bista. He will win with a thumping majority,” said Vishnu Tamang, a winter garments seller.

Bista’s presence and the trust in ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai’ has had a definite impact here. “Mamata Banerjee has only divided people; she has done nothing else. North Bengal has not been given anything. I believe that Modi ji has always done as promised. I feel the hills will get a permanent solution between 2024 and 2029,” Bista told News18.

Bimal Gurung, who spearheaded the Gorkhaland movement, was once a decisive factor during elections. People in the hills have always supported local parties like the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF). This time, both the parties are supporting the BJP.

Gurung had to stay outside Darjeeling for a long time due to the number of cases registered against him. But, in 2021, he returned while withdrawing his support from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and giving it to the TMC. This time, however, he is supporting the BJP.

“The TMC did not do anything on a permanent solution for the hills and, that’s why, the GJM now is supporting the BJP. We thought the state government will give us a solution; that’s why I supported them in the name of development but nothing happened. Anit Thapa told Mamata Banerjee that I did not have any power, so this election is a prestige fight for me.”

Thapa, who was with Gurung once upon a time and took part in the Gorkhaland movement, has come up with his own party, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha. He is supporting the TMC and has claimed that he revived the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a semi-autonomous council formed in 2012 for the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. It replaced the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council that was formed in 1988.

After the panchayat system started in the hills last year, Thapa gave his support to the TMC. “We have fought among ourselves. Gorkhaland is our emotion but we should concentrate on development. Why are we giving a bad name to the hills? Last 15 years, the BJP has only shown this will happen but failed to give any option. Now, the panchayat system is there. We have done it,” Thapa told News18.

“I am taking Didi’s (CM Mamata Banerjee) development to the people and am sure we will win,” said Gopal Lama, who is up against Bista.

LEGENDARY BAKERY OWNER MAKES CONTEST TRIANGULAR

Owner of the legendary bakery, Glenary’s, Ajoy Edwards’ entry makes this a triangular contest. A 100-year-old eatery and a landmark of the hill station, Glenary’s has operated since the days of the British Raj.

Edwards, earlier with the GNLF, founded the Hamro Party in 2021 to speak about a peaceful and permanent solution for the hills. Surprisingly, he won a large number of seats back then and, this time, he has joined hands with the opposition INDIA bloc and is projecting Congress candidate Munish Tamang. According to him, the BJP is all the same and, that’s why, a third option is required.

In another interesting turn of events, Kurseong’s BJP MLA Vishnu Prasad Sharma is also contesting against Bista but the saffron party is not giving much importance to this.

‘NEED PEACE FOR BENEFIT OF TOURISM INDUSTRY’

Tourism is one of the mainstays of Darjeeling. In a chaupal with tourist guide drivers, they said they want peace so that tourism can flourish. “The party that was strong is still strong, we need peace for the benefit of the tourism industry,” said Dhiman Chamling, a driver.

“We need development and whichever party will work for tourism, we will vote there,” said another driver, Mahua Rao.

Darjeeling is always identified with Glenary’s and Keventer’s, which is another 100-year-old restaurant where the Bollywood film ‘Barfi’ was shot. Sipping on Darjeeling tea accompanied by scrambled eggs and sausage, visitors enjoying a meal at Keventer’s spoke in favour of the prime minister.

“We know that our demand is proper governenance and Modi ji will give us that,” said George Rai. Taking a cue from him, another young person said: “We will vote for Modi because this is a national election. There is so much corruption here.”

Tourists and local residents throng the Darjeeling Mall, Chowrasta, for shopping and eating out. (Image: News18)

At the Darjeeling Mall, Chowrasta, a group of women said 10 communities should get tribal status. “Our children grow up here but have to leave because there are no jobs here. The government should look into this. We are unable to live with our kids,” said Parvati Rai.

“The BJP has not given us any solution for 15 years, we will think and vote this time,” said Revathi Lama.

The three hill segments are Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong while Matigara, Siliguri, Phansidewa and Chopra are the four assemblies in the plains. In 2019, it was only in Chopra that the TMC got a lead. Hence, where the vote swings in the plains is important.

At a tea shop in Siliguri, local resident Raghab Roy said: “This time there is a fight. Ram is there, so nobody will get a walkover.” While all parties are trying to put up their best performance, the BJP’s lead in these seats was more than four lakh last time. But, only the party that balances the needs of the hills and plains can crack the code.

KAMALIKA SENGUPTA

Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Award for Gender Sensitivity and Bengal Government’s Sikshashree Award. She tweets at @KamalikaSengupt