The Gorkha National Liberation Front will support Jan Andolan Party
chief Harka Bahadur Chhetri in the Kalimpong seat and Trinamul
candidates in Kurseong and Darjeeling, party president Mann Ghising said
today.
This is the first time that the GNLF has not fielded candidates in the three hill seats in the Assembly polls since 1988.
Today, GNLF chief Mann Ghisingh read out a written statement to announce their support to the JAP and Trinamul candidates.
"Keeping in mind the present political confusion and the crisis that
might befall the Gorkha community in future, the GNLF has decided to
support TMC candidates Sharda Rai Subba (Darjeeling) and Shanta Chhetri
(Kureong). Respecting the sentiments of the people of Kalimpong and
keeping in mind the commonalties on certain issues with JAP, GNLF has
decided to support JAP candidate Harka Bahadur Chhetri in Kalimpong
Assembly segment," he said.
Asked about the commonalties, he said: "This would be clear in the days to come."
The GNLF has said that until the hills are incorporated in the Sixth
Schedule, the DGHC that seized to exist on August 2, 2012, should be
revived as it had "real constitutional autonomous power".
Harka who has Trinamul's backing, said: "We are happy with the
decision of the GNLF. The party has good presence in Kalimpong and
Kurseong, although, I do not know much about them in Darjeeling and this
is why their support is important to us."
Asked about commonalties, the Kalimpong MLA said: "The most important
thing is that we have decided to come to a common platform and work
together..."
In the 2011 Assembly polls, Chhetri had contested for the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and won by around 1 lakh votes.
The Morcha has fielded Sarita Rai in Kalimpong, Rohit Sharma in Kurseong and Amar Singh Rai in Darjeeling.
Morcha general secretary, Roshan Giri, said: "The development will not make a difference as we will win all three (hill) seats."
The Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League is also likely to support Harka.
Party general secretary Pratap Khati said: "We are not averse to
supporting Harka Bahadur Chhetri in Kalimpong."
The ABGL has fielded its candidates in the other two hill seats.(TT)
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?