SILIGURI: West Bengal state is going to have a complicated political scenario in its foothills before next rural body election due to gradually developing clear polarization between two main dominating communities- Gorkhas and Tribals- with their respective objectives distinctly opposite to each other.
Gorkhas, mostly organized under the banner of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) are getting adamant again with their old demand of inclusion of foothills under the governance of Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA). GTA, the autonomous administrative body for the governance of Darjeeling hills was formed following GJM's movement for separate statehood for Darjeeling and at present ruled by the GJM.
"We want immediate inclusion of 396 moujas of foothills within GTA. Otherwise we will go for new episode of Gorkhaland movement," said B Gurung, GTA Chairman and President of GJM.
If it really goes in this line, the state Government will be at the most uncomfortable situation. "All the trouble of Darjeeling is over and this is the end of Gorkhaland statehood movement," claimed WB CM Miss Mamata Bannerjee immediately after signing of GTA agreement between GJM, State and Center in July 2011. Miss Bannerjee's party TMC had always maintained friendly relationship and even electoral understanding with GJM.
On the other side, tribals, members of the other most important community in the area, are against GJM's demand. Rather, "We want separate Tribal Advisory Council to be formed immediately to control developmental activities of these tribal dominated areas," demanded Birsa Tirkey, Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad (ABAVP) state President. "We have already served a memorandum on this to the Governor and state Government has issued a notice on this," he added.
The foothills area under question is spread across three districts and over 120 km in East West. Gorkhas contribute around 25% of its populace of around 35 lakh that is near 4% of state population and Tribals contribution in it is around 45%.
Clear enough, the two major demographic contributors are hosting two entirely opposite demand and trying hard to make their presence bold in foothills. In previous panchayet elections, Gorkhas and Tribals normally used to support other established political wings. But this time, both of them are likely to contest it making the scenario complicated and full of worries for the state government due to high possibility of major tussles between these two houses.
Gorkhas, mostly organized under the banner of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) are getting adamant again with their old demand of inclusion of foothills under the governance of Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA). GTA, the autonomous administrative body for the governance of Darjeeling hills was formed following GJM's movement for separate statehood for Darjeeling and at present ruled by the GJM.
"We want immediate inclusion of 396 moujas of foothills within GTA. Otherwise we will go for new episode of Gorkhaland movement," said B Gurung, GTA Chairman and President of GJM.
If it really goes in this line, the state Government will be at the most uncomfortable situation. "All the trouble of Darjeeling is over and this is the end of Gorkhaland statehood movement," claimed WB CM Miss Mamata Bannerjee immediately after signing of GTA agreement between GJM, State and Center in July 2011. Miss Bannerjee's party TMC had always maintained friendly relationship and even electoral understanding with GJM.
On the other side, tribals, members of the other most important community in the area, are against GJM's demand. Rather, "We want separate Tribal Advisory Council to be formed immediately to control developmental activities of these tribal dominated areas," demanded Birsa Tirkey, Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad (ABAVP) state President. "We have already served a memorandum on this to the Governor and state Government has issued a notice on this," he added.
The foothills area under question is spread across three districts and over 120 km in East West. Gorkhas contribute around 25% of its populace of around 35 lakh that is near 4% of state population and Tribals contribution in it is around 45%.
Clear enough, the two major demographic contributors are hosting two entirely opposite demand and trying hard to make their presence bold in foothills. In previous panchayet elections, Gorkhas and Tribals normally used to support other established political wings. But this time, both of them are likely to contest it making the scenario complicated and full of worries for the state government due to high possibility of major tussles between these two houses.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
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