Darjeeling
MP Surendra Singh Ahluwalia’s promotion as a minister of state and
induction into the Union cabinet - the first instance for a Member of
Parliament from Darjeeling since Independence - has brought mixed
reactions from political parties of the hills.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha welcomed
Ahluwalia’s induction, saying it reflected the respect and sense of
inclusiveness the BJP-led government has accorded to the people living
in Darjeeling and the Dooars region. In a press statement, GJM president
Bimal Gurung congratulated the Darjeeling MP and extended his gratitude
to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“With Ahluwalia joining the Union
Cabinet, not only Darjeeling but the entire region of north Bengal will
find representation at the highest policy making body of the country,
and he will now be able to push for transformation of this region for
the better. This also shows Modiji’s commitment towards the people of
Darjeeling and we look forward to the day when all our long pending
demands will be fulfilled,” Gurung said, without specifying his party’s
statehood demand.
Over the years,the Darjeeling hills did
have representation in both the lower and upper Houses of Parliament,
mostly from the hill units of national parties such as the Congress and
the CPM. This is the first time that a Darjeeling MP has been appointed
as a minister of state and inducted into the Union Cabinet.
The All India Gorkha League (AIGL) and
the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) too welcomed the development
but were cautious with their words. “It is a good gesture for the hills
and hope it will benefit us. As for the statehood demand, only time
will say what impetus Ahluwalia will bring,” said Pratap Khati, the AIGL
general secretary.
NB Chhetri, central committee member of
the GNLF, said, “Ahluwalia’s induction into the Union Cabinet will
benefit the hills. But it will depend on what portfolio the BJP leader
is given.”
The newly formed Jan Andolan Party (JAP)
led by Harka Bahadur Chhetri and the Communist Party of Revolutionary
Marxist (CPRM) were critical in their observation, saying Ahluwalia’s
appointment was aimed at the election in Punjab where the BJP wants to
give a face. “The sole agenda of the BJP government in making
Ahluwalia a minister of state is to give
a Sikh minister as this will help the party in the Punjab election. It
is also a strategy to help the GJM garner votes in the next Lok Sabha
election as in the recent state Assembly election, the Morcha’s vote
share decreased drastically,” said the JAP chief, adding Ahluwalia’s new
role would only be a hindrance to the statehood demand.
CPRM spokesperson Govind Chhetri said,
“As MP, Ahluwalia has failed to deliver. And we don’t see anything
better happening for the hills with him as a minister of state.” The
hill Trinamool Congress said it would only comment after the BJP leader
was given a portfolio.(EOI)
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