Darjeeling: Two presidents of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, who
have expelled each other from the post and refused to acknowledge
either's decisions, have wished the people of the hills in contrasting
styles for the New Year.
Binay Tamang, who heads the rebel camp and the Gorkhaland
Territorial Administration (BTA), has stressed the need to be "more
logical than emotional", and indicated that the statehood agitation and
shutdown in the hills last year was "directionless." Bimal Gurung sought
to focus on the "fight for our national identity."
Tamang, who emailed his greetings to the media as GTA chief,
called for a "positive mindset". "I appeal to our people, let us promise
to work for our community with a positive mindset."
"We have lost many years because of our traditional working style,
emotional and one-sided thoughts and old mentality. Despite these many
years, our community and our dreams are in peril," Tamang added.
Tamang obliquely touched on the 104-day shutdown last year and
termed it "directionless" and a result of "unplanned thoughts." "Due to
directionless and unplanned thoughts and working style, we have
suffered for long. Let us be united, not with narrow mindset and
emotional thoughts but with openness and thoughts based on reality."
Tamang stressed that the hill people should be "grounded in
reality" rather than emotion. "For the true uplift of our community, let
us move forward not with emotional thoughts but by working in reality."
Gurung's message, which was posted by Roshan Giri on the
party's WhatsApp group, dwelt on emotions, national identity and
"long-standing aspirations". "I convey my best wishes on a new year to
all the Indian Gorkhas who have always played an important role in this
fight for our national identity."
In his short message, Gurung described himself as a "guardian
of the community". "Let there be new enthusiasm and happiness in your
lives this New Year. Let our long-standing aspiration be solved. As a
guardian of the community, I once again convey my best wishes."
The Telegraph
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