The bid for a united fight by anti-Gorkha Janmukti Morcha parties in
the hills took a beating today when the Communist Party of Revolutionary
Marxists (CPRM) announced its decision to contest the elections alone.
This is the first time that the CPRM will contest Assembly elections
on its own since its formation in 1996. In previous elections, it had
contested in alliance with other hill-based political parties.
The CPRM, along with Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), Akhil
Bharatiya Gorkha League (ABGL) and Sikkim-Darjeeling Ekikaran Manch, had
formed the Democratic Front to fight for restoration of democracy in
the hills and to pursue the Madan Tamang murder case.
The CPRM today, however, announced its decision to contest the election alone.
The Democratic Front is scheduled to meet on Saturday.
Govind Chhetri, the spokesman for the CPRM, said: "We held a meeting
of the central executive committee of the party. It has been decided
that we will contest the elections alone. We have also finalised two
names each for three hill constituencies."
Asked about the issue of fielding a consensus candidate from the
Democratic Front, Chhetri said: "We have been holding a series of
meetings. However, other parties have their own issues like the Sixth
Schedule (GNLF) and the merger (between Sikkim and Darjeeling raised by
the Ekikaran Manch). We, however, have only one issue and that is the
demand for Gorkhaland. We cannot compromise on this issue."
The CPRM leader hinted that it was difficult for all the parties to
come together given the varied demands. "We are still open to other
options and if things work out we will consider withdrawing our
candidates. However, given the way the negotiations are going on, we are
not hopeful of Democratic Front fielding a common candidate," Chhetri
said.
The CPRM today announced the names of Bindya Dukpa and Govind Chhetri
from Darjeeling, Arun Ghatani and Rabin Rai from Kurseong, Kishore
Pradhan and Mohan Poudyal from Kalimpong. "These names will be sent to
the lower units and depending on their feedback, one of them will be
chosen," said Chhetri.
Shankar Hang Subba, the convener of the Democratic Front, said: "Till
the last moment we will try our best to field a consensus candidate. We
want all parties to be as flexible as it is possible. Let us see how
the Saturday meeting goes on."
The GNLF, a partner in the front, said that it would comment only
after the party decides on the matter. Biren Lama, a central committee
member, said: "We cannot make any comments now."(TT)
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