Addressing an election rally in Mirik
Foolbari Maidan today, GJM chief Bimal Gurung stated Mamata Banerjee is
“playing with fire” and warned the situation might take an ugly turn if
the CM mishandles the fire. The statement was an apparent retaliation to
the sudden crack down on his party leaders by the state government
following its announcement to support BJP in the parliamentary
elections.
Looking aggressive, Gurung said, “What
does the CM think of herself? Let me clarify that I am not an
insignificant person when it comes to the political circle of West
Bengal. I have come ahead to form a separate state of Gorkhaland and I
am ready to die for it.” Troubled by police actions against GJM, Gurung
said, “The police administration must understand too. Gorkhaland is for
you and your children’s better future.”
The GTA chief executive also alleged TMC
of engaging in vested politics. He accused the TMC government of
removing his security and also conspiring to kill him for demanding
Gorkhaland and supporting a pro-Gorklhaland party. He added the state
government is directing the police to act outside their limitation and
is trying to force the GJM to repeat the violent agitation of 1986. He
however ruled out all possibilities of repeating such act of violence.
Gurung also took a dig on GNLF supremo
Subash Ghising by alleging him of being a person who sells out the
esteem of the community for his benefit. He alleged the TMC government
of desperately trying to put Ghising in the GTA chief’s chair and added,
“I will give away the GTA post if Ghising wants it. But he must prove
his mandate in all the 45 constituencies.” He also demanded the GNLF to
provide answer on why it sacrificed 1200 people in the name of
Gorkhaland, when it was ultimately going to support an anti-Gorkhaland
party.
Meanwhile, BJP candidate SS Ahluwalia
appealed to the people that they must defeat Trinamool Congress, which
is breaking the unity of the communities in the hills. Urging people to
vote for him, Ahluwalia promised the first demand he will raise in
Parliament will be that of the Gorkhas of Darjeeling. He said his second
job will be to act as a bridge between the government and the people to
help them realize their dream of forming a separate state. He pledged
to make utmost efforts to solve the “complicated problem” of the Gorkha
community.
Ahluwalia assured to grant ST status to
the ten Gorkha sub-communities if the BJP comes to power at the centre.
He added the Limbu and Tamang communities were able to obtain tribal
status when the BJP government existed at the centre back in 2003. The
BJP candidate also expressed confidence on saffron party forming the
government at the center this time and urged the people to vote for his
party in the interest of the nation.(EOIC)