Stability and peace in hills will augur well for Bengal, says Mamata Banerjee

EOI, DARJEELING, NOVEMBER 13, 2024 :  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that stability and peace in the hills would augur well for Bengal. She expressed confidence that the alliance with the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) would continue to benefit the people in the region and, as such, she backed BGPM. She made these remarks during the inauguration of the eight-day-long SARAS Mela at Chowrasta.

"I want Anit Thapa (the BGPM chief) to grow in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. I am well and at peace when there is peace and stability in the hills. Some leaders come here every five years, causing disturbances, resulting in the hills being closed and tourism being affected. I do not want that. I want peace and development for the hills. I want the good of the hills," Mamata Banerjee said.

The alliance between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BGPM contested the recent Lok Sabha elections, which they lost to the BJP, whose candidate Raju Bista was supported by other regional parties.

"In the last MP election, we had fielded Gopal Lama as the candidate, but he did not win as he does not lie. Nowadays, it seems it is about lies, fake news, and narratives. Those who won have a lot of funds, and they distribute it during the elections. However, these people forget about the people and their promises as soon as the election is over. But, I am not like that and work throughout the year for the hill people," she added.

Political observers feel that, although Mamata Banerjee did not directly name the BJP, it was an indirect jibe at them, while also maintaining that she would continue to work with Anit Thapa for peace and development in the hills.

"There should not be any disturbances in Darjeeling. Some people from this place are working for money and personal interests. This should not happen. I want Darjeeling to be number one. We will work together in unity till I am there," Mamata Banerjee said, raising the slogan "Jai Gorkha, Jai Bangla."

Talking about various developmental projects in the hills, the Chief Minister claimed that the West Bengal government had provided Rs 11,000 crore to the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong over the past 12 years, while adding that Rs 1,500 crore was provided to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration during the same period.

"There is a lot to do for the hills. We have provided crores of rupees as funds. Work worth Rs 4,000 crore is in progress. We have also provided Rs 164,000 crore to North Bengal during the same period," the Chief Minister said.

Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister visited the Darjeeling zoo and named four red panda cubs and two snow leopard cubs born in captivity in June and July this year. The red panda cubs were named Dream, Hilly, Pahadia, and Victory, while the snow leopard cubs were named Charming and Darling.

"We are honored that the Chief Minister has named the red panda and snow leopard cubs. Since she had a busy schedule, the Chief Minister did not enter the zoo," said Basavaraj S Holeyachi, Director of Darjeeling Zoo.

The West Bengal Chief Minister will return to Siliguri on Thursday. She also mentioned that she would visit the hills in January next year to celebrate the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose.