Residents of the Darjeeling hills are
curious to know whether the apolitical Darjeeling-Dooars United
Development Foundation will take a political form. DDUDF founder Dr.
Mahendra P Lama contested the LS elections as an independent candidate
and received full support of the CPRM, AIGL and BGP.
Lama, whose primary agenda is to achieve
statehood, was criticised the most by the GJM during campaigning. Now,
the poll results, due on May 16, will decide Lama’s future move, which
could also mean a change in the structure of the DDUDF. It remains to be
seen how Lama tackles his supporters and the organisation. Further, it
is more difficult to forecast the DDUDF’s future prospects if Lama were
to lose.
It may be recalled that during an
election campaign meeting here, DDUDF spokesperson P Arjun had said the
DDUDF will transform into a political party and will pursue the
statehood movement after the polls.
On being asked for his comments on this,
Mirik block DDUDF convener Tilak Rai said internal discussions are
going on while hinting an announcement could come after the poll results
are out. Clarifying that the DDUDF could likely take the shape of a
political outfit, Rai said it will struggle for statehood with the
support of the people.
Stressing that the foundation will fight
tooth and nail against corruption, he said be it will press for
transparency in development projects with both the GTA and the state
government.
Rai said, “Even if the TMC or the BJP
emerge victorious from Darjeeling, we will ensure proper work is done by
the MP. Let the BJP or the Congress or even a Third Front come to power
at the Centre, we will keep our struggle for a separate state of
Gorkhaland alive as also the inclusion of the region in the North East
Council.”
He also said the DDUDF will demand implementation of all central government schemes in the region.
The DDUDF convener also voiced strong
resentment towards the recent rape incident in Manipur. He said the
foundation stands by the Gorkhas of not only Manipur, but of all the
northeastern states. Rai said the DDUDF has already dispatched letters
to concerned authorities demanding a judicial probe into the matter. He
thanked people for voting for Lama, while appealing to them to remain
prepared for a new movement.(EOIC)