Didi touched a chord in the Hills

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee could sign an accord with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha within months of taking over office because she could strike the right note with the Hills people.


In Mamata, the Gorkhas found a CM with a difference, who wanted to trust them, feel their agony and be one of them. The process of Mamata winning over the sentiments of the Hill people started last year. Convinced of her coming electoral victory, she visited Darjeeling and was given a rousing reception, at a time when then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee studiously avoided going to the hills.


A cross-section of people met her with their demands and grievances, as if she was already the chief minister. Mamata listened to all of them and moved around in without concern for security.


Another key reason was that the GJM leadership understood that the people in the hills did not want any more bandhs. The GJM was on the back foot ever since the gruesome killing of All India Gorkha League leader Madan Tamang. When Mamata offered them a face-saving solution, they accepted it.


Mamata offered not only a hill council with additional powers and funds, but also an alluring development package to take care of the problems - road, drinking water, education, employment. From day one she started sending her cabinet colleagues to the hills to solve issues. Tourism was given attention. Steps were taken to restore the ropeway in Darjeeling town. People in the hills are thirsting for democracy and now the elections are promised to be held within a time-frame.


GJM leaders also understood that Mamata has the blessing of the Centre. Indeed, Delhi lost no time in clearing the agreement, though it had taken its time to hold tripartite meetings when the Bhattacharjee government was negotiating with GJM. A handsome special package has also been announced by Delhi.


The Bhattacharjee government could not achieve an early settlement as he had played the wrong cards, say observers. In 2005-06, when people in the hills were unhappy with the way DGHC was being run and wanted an early election to the council, Bhattacharjee made GNLF president Subash Ghisingh the sole caretaker administration of DGHC. The decision to bring DGHC under the sixth schedule also backfired. It was interpreted as a move to divide the Gorkha community for political advantage, between tribals and non-tribals, the majority in the hills being non-tribals. The chasm grew between CPM and GJM


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The new agreement giving birth to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has steered clear of any constitutional guarantee but still gives more power to GTA. Bringing the "touji" department under the council will give GTA jurisdiction over tea garden land. Some functions of the Regional Transport Authority would also be brought under the control of GTA.


Adding more areas in Terai and Dooars under the hill council is a main demand of GJM, and Mamata has agreed to refer the burning issue to a committee. This has given both GJM and the state government a breathing space, and a window to bring the hills back to normal for some time and a chance to continue with the council experiment for some more time. 
~TOI