Bharati Tamang hopes to meet CM Mamata

SILIGURI, 14 MAY: The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president, Mrs Bharati Tamang, sounded hopeful that the Chief Minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee, would give her time during her current Hill trip that began today.

“I am looking forward to meeting her. I approached the administration seeking time. I have received no communication as yet as regards the appointment. However, I am sure she would give me time. If given time I would demand justice as regards my husband Madan Tamang's murder.  I would also apprise her of our assessment of the present political scenario in the Hills,” she said.

However, the senior CPI-M leader and the former state urban development minister, Mr Asok Bhattacharya, said he is sceptic about the chief minister giving time to the Opposition leader from the Hills during this trip.  

“We are almost sure Mrs Tamang would not get a chance to meet the chief minister. Miss Banerjee has come here to renew her earlier bonhomie with the GJMM that got estranged. Her party is now facing difficult times. The groundswell of support that catapulted her to power two years ago is fast waning. Placed in an unenviable situation at present, she is unlikely to risk anything that might corrode her support in the Hills,” he said.

He also said courting and then dumping individuals according to political expediency is part of Miss Banerjee’s brand of politics.

“Every individual be Mrs Tamang or others is expendable. She courted the widow of the slain Hill leader to coerce the recalcitrant GJMM into submission. She met her in Kolkata and assured of her commitment to doing justice regarding the 21 May murder. Now with things settling down, she is most likely to go back on her early commitment,” he said.

Mr Bhattacharya further said the state government has no road map as regards development of the Hills. “Neither does she have any commitment towards the principle of democracy in the Hills. Things change according to expediency,” he added. 

statesman news service