Just a day ahead of the announcement of
the Lok Sabha election results, GJM spokesperson Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri voiced his thoughts on BJP candidate SS Ahluwalia’s chances of
winning.
He said, “If the BJP candidate loses, the Gorkha people should think twice before venturing into politics again.”
Although Chettri sounded confident of
Ahluwalia winning by a good margin, he revealed the anxiety within him
when he said, “If he (Ahluwalia) loses, the political condition in the
Darjeeling hills will be in a shambles and bring to an end all efforts
made by the GJM to restore political stability.”
Asserting this was the right time to go
ahead with the demand for statehood, Chettri said, “The BJP is almost
certain to form the government at the Centre and the party’s prime
ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, has himself promised to fulfill
the dream of the Gorkhas. If the BJP loses from Darjeeling despite such a
positive atmosphere prevailing, the Gorkha people should not
participate in any form of politics.”
Hinting at the ‘silent’ voter group, the
GJM spokesperson said, “Some Gorkha voters could have been coaxed into
voting for the wrong party, but I firmly believe most have not. However,
if my worst fears are true, it is difficult to say whether the BJP will
wrest the Darjeeling seat.”
He also admitted the GJM saw a decline in its support base during the build-up to the election.
“If the candidate supported by us loses,
it will be a huge mistake and prove the Gorkha people are incapable of
practicing long-term politics. But I still feel and believe the chances
of such a thing happening to be very low,” said Chettri.
When asked which path the statehood
movement might take if the BJP were to lose from Darjeeling, the
Kalimpong MLA said the GJM will continue with its efforts to achieve a
separate state.
“The demand for a separate state will
not be suppressed if Ahluwalia loses, but become more powerful instead.
We will continue our fight, but in a peaceful manner. Whoever wins this
election, peace and decorum should be maintained,” stressed Chettri.
On the future strategy of the GJM
following the poll results, the party spokesperson said, “Our party
president has made it clear there will be no agitation or strikes in the
hills. If we win, we will head to Delhi right away and establish a
party centre there to negotiate with the BJP leadership as per the
decision made before the election.”
Chettri further said the GJM will take
up the issue of the state government’s intervention in the smooth
functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
“The GTA will continue to do the good
work it is doing and it is the responsibility of the central government
to provide full support. All stakeholders will have to work together in
the larger interest of the common people,” he emphasised.
Chettri said he does not believe in exit
poll surveys conducted by media houses, but with the Modi wave sweeping
the entire nation, an NDA government at the Centre is not a far cry.
“The BJP will not need the TMC’s support
to form a government at the Centre. The Trinamool itself is in a tight
spot this Lok Sabha election. It is hesitant in supporting the BJP
because if the TMC does so, it will lose 25 per cent of the Muslim
support base in the state, with which the party has benefitted a lot
during regional elections. At the same time, if Mamata does not support
the BJP, it will be difficult for the TMC to secure funds for the state
assembly election slated in a couple of years,” remarked Chettri.(EOIC)