As the campaigning for the Kalimpong municipality elections ended
today, most agree that this hill town of about 36,000 voters has never
been a witness to such an enthralling dance of democracy.
From the dull and drab one-sided contests, some would even say no
contest, of the past, the electioneering this time has been varied and
vibrant, thanks to the presence of three strong parties.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the Jana Andolan
Party (JAP) and the Trinamul Congress are seeking the mandate of the
electorates on largely two issues: Gorkhaland and development. While the
ruling Morcha has positioned the election as a choice between
Gorkhaland and Bengal, the poll plank of both its rival claimants is
development.
Particularly in the past three decades, parties have won elections,
including local bodies like the municipality, largely on the issue of
Gorkhaland. However, that is perhaps beginning to change, at least in
the context of civic polls. Development may not quite arouse the raw
emotion of Gorkhaland, but it is an issue that is beginning to find
resonance among the urban voters, who are largely educated.
"I was a youth leader of the Prantha Parishad in the late Seventies
and early Eighties, and even back then we espoused the cause of
separation from Bengal. I was jailed because of my political belief. I
want Gorkhaland, but I will vote for development in this election. So
many parties have come and gone, but very little development has taken
place. I think the people of Kalimpong want a change," said Kesar
Moktan, a musician and businessman.
His views on development are echoed by 27-year-old Avik Das, who is
two generations younger than the sexagenarian Moktan. "As businessmen,
we want peace first. Development is equally important. Whichever party
can ensure both will get my preference. I believe development should be
the focus in a civic poll. Gorkhaland is a legitimate issue, but there
are other platforms to raise it," he said.
However, the voices for Gorkhaland are from being drowned in the
ripple called development and it will always be separation above
everything else for them.
"I will vote for a regional party which has Gorkhaland as its core
issue. Development is very important, but the heart of our problem lies
in us continuing to be the slaves of larger Bengal. Till such time we
get a state of our own, we will not be able to carry out any meaningful
development," said Roshan Tamang, a teacher.
Voters may be divided on the two issues dominating the election, but
they all agree on the fact that the true spirit of democracy has been on
display this election. "I am really loving this. We in the hills have
been missing such an atmosphere during elections for a long time now. I
hope this is the beginning of the end of one-party hegemony," said
another resident.(TT)
If you wanted Gorkhaland and not development my friends why did you accept GTA.
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