Darjeeling,TT March 31: The Trinamul
Congress candidate for Darjeeling, Bhaichung Bhutia, today called on
GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh a day after Bimal Gurung requested the former
DGHC chairman to back BJP nominee S.S. Ahluwalia.
The meeting
between the former Indian football captain and Ghisingh points to the
growing importance of the GNLF which commands over 40,000 votes in the
three hill Assembly segments in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency.
Although the
leadership of both Trinamul and the GNLF refused to acknowledge the
meeting, sources in the two parties have confirmed Bhaichung’s visit to
Ghisingh’s residence on Dr Zakir Hussain Road early this morning.
The meeting lasted for 45 minutes.
“Bhaichung Bhutia
was accompanied by local Trinamul leaders. But minister Gautam Deb
(currently in Darjeeling) was not present,” said a GNLF source.
Earlier, Bhaichung
had made an appeal to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung to
support his candidature. But the Morcha decided to back BJP candidate
Ahluwalia. While addressing a news conference at the Darjeeling Press
Guild office, Deb didn’t take questions on the Ghisingh-Bhaichung
meeting.
The minister lambasted Gurung for changing his stand at the drop of a hat.
“One morning he
talks against Subash Ghisingh and in the evening, he seeks support. None
can forget the inhuman treatment meted out to Subash Ghisingh as he was
not allowed to bring his wife’s body to Darjeeling for the last rites,”
said Deb.
Sources said Deb’s statement could be a way to reach out to Ghisingh for support.
A local Trinamul leader sounded optimistic about Ghisingh’s support after the meeting.
“We believe the
meeting went off well. We are optimistic that the GNLF will back us and
their support could help us sail through in the Darjeeling seat,” said
the leader on condition of anonymity.
Deb also said the utilisation of funds by the Morcha-controlled GTA Sabha would be audited regularly.
Asked whether the
accounts of the erstwhile DGHC which was headed by Ghisingh would also
be audited, Deb said: “We will have to first look at the present body
(GTA).”