GJM TO SUPPORT BJP IN SMC ELECTIONS - BJP DECLARES GORKHALI CANDIDATES IN TWO WARDS
The upcoming SMC ( Siliguri Municipal Corporation) election is going to be one of the most important elections as far as Gorkhaland statehood is concerned, yet the GJM has decided to play the ideal NDA partner role and support BJP, and is not going to contest the elections directly.
As a mark of respect towards GJM's decision to support them, the BJP taking cognizance of GJM's support and thus the support of Nepali people in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation area, have declared decided to filed two Gorkhali candidates who will be contesting on their tickets.
Given that none of the other political parties - TMC, Congress or CPI(M) have bothered to filed candidates with Gorkhali ethnicity in the upcoming SMC elections, many feel that Morcha's support may be decisive in helping BJP to win from wards, where there is significant Nepali population. There are 10 such wards.
The two candidates contesting on BJP ticket are likely to contest from Ward 41 and 43 which has a significantly high Gorkhali presence.
In GJM not contesting the SMC elections directly and allowing BJP to contest, experts see both tactical error, as well as strategic move.
One a prominent political observers from hills, Upendra said, "As I have repeatedly said in the past six months, GJM along with KPP and JMM (Dooars - John-Barla group) being NDA alliance partners should contest in at least 50% seats, as it will not only allow local political groups to reinforce their presence in Terai and Dooars region and will help in the 2016 elections... but it will also benefit us when it comes to Gorkhaland demand, as the more Councillors, Panchayat members and MLAs we have, the easier it will be for us to convince BJP to support Gorkhaland demand."
However, a Siliguri based GJM leader disagrees, and said, "for many in the plains Gorkhaland is an emotive issue and if GJM contests they may not vote for GJM or BJP either... people in Siliguri need change and a stable governance structure, which will ensure that growth and development in the region progresses rapidly and that can come when BJP have absolute majority... hence, we are going to fulfill our dharma by helping BJP to win as many seats as possible."
The fact that BJP has decided to field Gorkhali candidates, has provided both a sense of inclusion and hope for the Gorkhalis living in the Terai region. However, it needs to be seen, how this will influence voting pattern in the SMC elections
Via - TheDC
The upcoming SMC ( Siliguri Municipal Corporation) election is going to be one of the most important elections as far as Gorkhaland statehood is concerned, yet the GJM has decided to play the ideal NDA partner role and support BJP, and is not going to contest the elections directly.
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| Pic Via: Himalaya Darpan shows BJP leaders releasing the name of the candidates |
Given that none of the other political parties - TMC, Congress or CPI(M) have bothered to filed candidates with Gorkhali ethnicity in the upcoming SMC elections, many feel that Morcha's support may be decisive in helping BJP to win from wards, where there is significant Nepali population. There are 10 such wards.
The two candidates contesting on BJP ticket are likely to contest from Ward 41 and 43 which has a significantly high Gorkhali presence.
In GJM not contesting the SMC elections directly and allowing BJP to contest, experts see both tactical error, as well as strategic move.
One a prominent political observers from hills, Upendra said, "As I have repeatedly said in the past six months, GJM along with KPP and JMM (Dooars - John-Barla group) being NDA alliance partners should contest in at least 50% seats, as it will not only allow local political groups to reinforce their presence in Terai and Dooars region and will help in the 2016 elections... but it will also benefit us when it comes to Gorkhaland demand, as the more Councillors, Panchayat members and MLAs we have, the easier it will be for us to convince BJP to support Gorkhaland demand."
However, a Siliguri based GJM leader disagrees, and said, "for many in the plains Gorkhaland is an emotive issue and if GJM contests they may not vote for GJM or BJP either... people in Siliguri need change and a stable governance structure, which will ensure that growth and development in the region progresses rapidly and that can come when BJP have absolute majority... hence, we are going to fulfill our dharma by helping BJP to win as many seats as possible."
The fact that BJP has decided to field Gorkhali candidates, has provided both a sense of inclusion and hope for the Gorkhalis living in the Terai region. However, it needs to be seen, how this will influence voting pattern in the SMC elections
Via - TheDC
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