Gurung added, “If I were selfish, I would have supported Mamata, but I don’t want to sell my Gorkha ethnicity just for money. I made the decision to support the BJP just to save our identity as the BJP is the only one that can fulfill our dreams.”
The GJM chief also noted this was the same venue where former MP Jaswant Singh had spoken five years ago asking for votes and the weather had been gloomy back then. But when the present candidate, SS Ahuluwalia, delivered his speech in the same ground, the weather turned bright, and Gurung took this as a good sign where the candidate will win with a bigger margin.
Meantime, Darjeeling district BJP in-charge Manoj Dewan said he left the Trinamool Congress when he came to know within 11 months and 17 days that the party is trying to divide the hill people by creating communal differences amongst each other. He also said there is no respect for hill leaders in the TMC and hill issues are brushed aside even despite making repeated requests.
Further, Kishore Upadhya, former secretary of the Asom Gana Parishad, said he joined the BJP as the party respects the Gorkhas and favours the creation of smaller states. He appealed to the gathering to votes for the BJP to preserve the identity of the Gorkha community. He also noted the Gorkhas living in Assa, will see a resolution to a large part of their problems.
When Ahuluwalia began his speech, he asked, “Will you vote for the party who’s chief is totally against the formation of Gorkhaland and says ‘Gorkhaland hoitey dibona, hobena, manbona’. He also promised the people of Mungpoo a solution to all their problems if the BJP comes to power. The BJP candidate also accused the state governments of misusing money sent for the development of Chincona plantation.
Later, Ahuluwalia addressed a public meeting organised by the GJM at Kalijhora in the presence of GJM general secretary Roshan Giri. Ahuluwalia also promised the people of Kalijhora jobs in the NHPC if the BJP comes in power.