With Defections, Rift Between BGPM and Trinamool Surfaces

Yowan Mothay, EOI, Kalimpong, September 14: Recent political developments in Darjeeling have helped the Trinamool Congress strengthen its organizational presence in the hills. Defections from various political parties, particularly the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), to the Trinamool are reshaping the local political landscape. However, this trend is also a clear sign of a rift between the political allies BGPM and Trinamool, who had contested the last Lok Sabha election together.

On Saturday, over 50 young individuals joined Trinamool in Kalimpong. Suman Gurung, president of the youth wing of Trinamool in the Darjeeling district, was present. Former BGPM leader Shekhar MacDonald revealed that he switched to Trinamool because he had lost trust in his previous regional party.

Suman Gurung stated that the Trinamool leadership wants to establish a fully-fledged organizational structure in the Darjeeling hills. He emphasized his team’s commitment to fulfilling this directive and strengthening the party’s base. Gurung also criticized what he described as “monarchical rule” in Kalimpong and claimed that Trinamool would attract more supporters in the coming days.

However, this move by Trinamool Congress has heightened political tension in the hills, raising questions about the future of BGPM without the support of the West Bengal government.