Politics: BJP wants to gain TMC's friendship using 'Darjeeling' card

SILIGURI: Playing different roles at different scenario is nothing uncommon in politics. And the same is being played again. This time the stage is Darjeeling's election arena. Though BJP and Miss Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress(TMC) both are playing hard core opponents at local level, BJP's manifesto indicates the party's interest in keeping cool on TMC on larger interest at larger platform- may be in post election scenario.
BJP Vice President Mr S S Ahluwalia, is his party's candidate from Darjeeling. In hilly areas there, almost half of the constituency, largest political force Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM), is supporting BJP. GJM is demanding separate statehood for Darjeeling. In 2009, BJP candidate Mr. Jaswant Singh won the seat with overwhelming 1.59 lakh margin only because of block support of GJM that hovers over the sentiment of Gokhaland.

To utilize the sentiment in 2009, BJP wrote in its manifesto, "We will sympathetically examine and appropriately consider the long pending demands of the Gorkhas, the Adivasis and other people of Darjeeling district and Dooars region." BJP wants repetition of the same result this time too. So, "On Darjeeling issue, our stand point in this year's manifesto will be the same as 2009," said Mr. Ahluwalia the day he arrived Darjeeling.

But, TMCs candidate football star Baichung Bhutia has become a tough opposition for BJP this time. "Closer ethnicity, closer origin to this locality, star attraction and TMC wave in the state, all are of equal advantage for me. I am not concerned about winning. But it is my winning margin that I am looking for. It should be the highest in state," said Baichung. Naturally, BJP is going tough on TMC at local level.

Interestingly, the 2014 manifesto of BJP does not have any mention of the word 'Darjeeling' or even 'Gorkha.' It writes, "We recognize the special needs and unique problems of the hill and desert states. In consultation with the Governments of these states, state-specific developmental priorities/ models will be evolved."

It indicates that even if BJP comes to power, it promises not attempt to bring in any major change in Darjeeling's Governance without keeping TMC Government of the state into close loop. And TMC can never support splitting West Bengal to form Gorkhaland state as 90 per cent of the state area in plains land is almost entirely against Gorkhaland demand.

BJP manifesto may dampen the enthusiasm of GJM, but will definitely encourage TMC, that is expected to come out as a major power after election. Mr. Ahluwalia told ET, "There is no chance of any post election alliance with TMC." But, "BJP, will definitely need this powers like TMC and shake hands with them to form Government, if needed, keeping GJM in sideline," feel political observers.(ET)