Darjeeling: The Supreme Court's denial of relief to Bimal
Gurung has churned political equations afresh in the hills, with his
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha rivals signalling that the verdict means the end
of road for the erstwhile party chief.
The entrenched Binay Tamang camp today held a meeting at
Patlebas, about 5 kilometres from town, and the village that house
Gurung's residence and his party office. Party sources said that the
meeting held in a community hall just 50 meters from Gurung's residence,
which has been locked for months, was symbolically important.
"The meeting was specially held with those people who were
still in a state of confusion over the turn of events," said a Morcha
source.
Binay Tamang in his first reaction after the Supreme Court's
order on Friday was more direct. "After the Supreme Court's order, the
political existence of Bimal Gurung and Roshan Giri has been wiped off."
The Supreme Court dismissed Gurung's writ petition seeking for
transfer of cases to independent agencies not under the control of state
government and providing anticipatory bail and had also alleged
biasness against the state government.
Tamang said that the apex court's ruling vindicated his stand.
"We welcome the court's order. The court order is a clear indication
that Bimal Gurung was trying to create unrest in the region while I
along with Anit Thapa was working for peace."
Explaining his decision to rebel against Gurung, the Morcha
president said: "People were dying; the hills were in turmoil and in
doldrums. I took the decision to save our people, our community. Bimal
Gurung and Roshan Giri tried to portray us as anti-people,
anti-community and anti-Gorkhaland, which is untrue."
Tamang said: "Those who are with him (Gurung), it is time to
rethink. You can also return. Let us save Darjeeling and let us make our
place better and we need your support."
Sources maintain that many leaders who were with Gurung are
contacting leaders of the Binay camp since last evening. Yogendra Rai, a
former GTA Sabha member, also called up media persons in Kurseong to
extend support to Binay-Anit camp.
Perhaps rattled by the rapid development in the hills, Gurung
today circulated a video message on social group. "I request all not to
lose hope. This is not the end and there are other legal forums," he
said.
However, it is not clear if there is any legal forum left for Gurung.
The Telegraph
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