Siliguri, March 18: The Trinamul
Congress leadership has approached the GNLF to seek support for its
candidate in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat after the largest party in
the hills, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, decided to support the BJP nominee.
Sources said, in
the past one week, Trinamul had approached GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh
and other party leaders several times with a request to support
Darjeeling candidate Bhaichung Bhutia and refrain from fielding anyone
for the seat.
“Trinamul leaders
are apprehensive of losing a considerable portion of hill votes because
of the party’s sour relationship with the Morcha, the latter’s support
to the BJP and appeal to voters via Facebook and other social media
sites to support S.S. Ahluwalia,” a GNLF leader said. “They are
approaching our party, as even today, we have the highest number of
anti-Morcha voters with us. Our chairman Subash Ghisingh and other
leaders have been approached by Trinamul repeatedly. We are yet to take a
decision.”
“Of the six
lakh-odd voters in the hills, two lakhs are with us and they will vote
for the candidate we support. We are weighing the pros and cons as this
is a good opportunity for the GNLF to revive its base in the hills and
get closer to Trinamul. Ever since the party came to power in the state,
there has been no chance for us to ally with Trinamul as it was closer
to the Morcha,” the leader said.
The Congress is also known to have approached GNLF.
Nima Lama, the
convenor of the GNLF’s Kurseong branch committee, said: “We are waiting
for the final decision of our chairman and want to reiterate that there
are equal prospects of fielding our own candidate or supporting the
candidate of any other political party. Some parties sought support from
us but it is Subash Ghisingh who will take the final decision.”
Sources said Ghisingh might visit the hills soon. He stays at a rented flat in Matigara near Siliguri.
“The GNLF
definitely has a support base but because of lack of political
activities, except few public meetings in the foothills, the party has
lost its relevance in hill politics,” said an observer. “But the sudden
change in Trinamul-Morcha relation and the sidelining of the Congress in
the hills, which prompted these two parties to approach the GNLF.”
Trinamul insiders
said the party had sought GNLF’s support. “The GNLF has been approached
by us to ensure that Bhaichung Bhutia secures a good number of votes in
the hills. The party has a steady support base in the three hill
subdivisions. We are putting in all efforts to ensure a lead for
Bhaichung. To prevent the BJP from getting a huge margin, we need block
votes from the hills. The GNLF can be an ideal ally to help us get such
votes.”
Minister Gautam
Deb said: “Subash Ghisingh is a senior political leader. We hope he will
take a rational and positive decision.”
Source: The Telegraph