Political temperature in the Hills on rise with number of events on horizon

Amitava Banerjee, MP, 10 Dec 2024, Darjeeling: Amid plummeting mercury, Darjeeling is experiencing a steady rise in political temperatures with a fast-changing political landscape. A number of events are on the radar of the political observers. 

On Monday, Municipal Affairs and Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim while responding to a question in the state Assembly had stated that elections to the Mirik, Kurseong and Kalimpong municipalities will be held soon “to provide better civic amenities to the residents”. 

While the election to the Darjeeling municipality was held in 2022, the Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik municipalities went to polls in 2017 and since then, have been run by administrators. Hamro Party, a hill political outfit which was floated on November 25, 2021, had gained control of the Darjeeling Municipality in the 2022 election. 

However, the defection of Hamro Party councillors later resulted in a power shift to the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha. The Hamro Party, however, continues to be the largest opposition party in the Hills. 

The Hill outfit is scheduled to undergo a change in name on December 22. This comes in the wake of directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI) as the poll body feels that the name is very similar to some other political party. 

The party has been directed to submit a list of three other names to the ECI. During a meeting, scheduled for December 22 in Darjeeling, the party led by Ajoy Edwards will not only announce its new name but is also expected to spring surprises. Being projected as an event to draw up a “new political alignment” in the Hills, Edwards, talking to mediapersons, claimed that many known faces of hill politics are set to join his political outfit. 

The Hamro Party, with mainly an urban support base during its formative years, soon penetrated into the rural belt, working on issues relating to tea, cinchona plantations, rural roadway connectivity and thereby growing its support base. 

At present, meetings are on with hill political leaders including former legislators and disgruntled leaders who have defected from their parties. Topping the list are Trinamool Congress leaders. 

The TMC has been witnessing mass defection in the Hills which had started with NB Khawas, the former General Secretary of TMC Darjeeling District Committee (Hills), tendering his resignation from all posts and primary membership on November 29, triggering an exodus. 

Many TMC leaders along with supporters have started tendering their resignations. “It is a signal of a turning point in the political landscape. Change is on the horizon, driven by the voices of the grassroots. 

The people are fed up with the complacency of the ruling party of the Hills. They yearn for a dynamic, proactive force- a party that truly loves, understands and cares for its people. The demand for genuine leadership has never been louder, and the time for complete transformation is now,” remarked Edwards. 

Courtesy & source: Millennium Post

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/political-temperature-in-the-hills-on-rise-with-number-of-events-on-horizon-590135