Indian Gorkhas: Bhaichung Bhutia

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TMC's ‘show of strength’ in Mirik before Assembly election

11:24 AM

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Darjeeling, 19 Jan 2016: Having managed to create a foothold in the hills, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) now wants to test the waters ahead of the Assembly election and will be holding its first political seminar on Wednesday in Mirik.

To ensure an overwhelming turnout on the day, party heavyweights such as Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Arup Biswas, the minister in-charge of youth services and housing, and former India team football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, will be some of the prominent figures. The TMC has been politically active in the hills, but Wednesday’s programme has been organised strategically since the chief minister will be arriving for a three-day tour on Thursday. The seminar, set to be held atAaley ground, is also likely to pave the way for the TMC’s forthcoming activities in the hills.

TMC (Hills) spokesperson Binny Sharma said: “This is the first time that the party is organising such a political seminar in the hills. It will be a big boost for our hill based leaders and activists. We have mobilised supporters from all the three sub-divisions of the hills. We expect the attendance to be anywhere between 9,000 and 10,000 people.” The Trinamool-led state government, and in particular, the chief minister with her development dollies and boards, has managed to ensnare sections of the hill population. This is in spite of the fact that the TMC is against the statehood demand and politics in the hills revolve around this deeply embedded sentiment. “During the seminar, we expect party leaders from Kolkata to lay out roadmaps and strategies for future activities in the hills,” said Sharma.

“And most importantly, the Assembly election is just around the corner and we want to ensure our party does well in the region.” As a strategic ploy, the Trinamool had fielded Bhutia from Darjeeling constituency in the last Lok Sabha election. But the ace footballer lost to BJP candidate S.S. Ahluwalia, who was supported by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha. But the equations are changing now with the GJM caught blinking when the state cabinet approved the formation of Kalimpong district and Mirik sub-division. In all likelihood, the TMC will capitalise on this development; hence the decision to hold the political seminar in Mirik.

Sharma said: “Besides political activities, we will also deliberate on the state government’s role in developing the hills. Kalimpong will be a district soon and Mirik a sub-division. We will have to focus on the development of Mirik to bring it in the
mainstream because the area has long remained neglected.” Discussions will also be held on the role and work taken up by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in developing the hills since its inception in August 2012. “The GTA was formed to develop the hills. The people should be made aware of what exactly it has done in the past three years,” said Sharma. The GJM has been accusing the state government of interference in the independent functioning of the GTA and its reluctance in transferring the departments to the hill body as noted in the GTA Memorandum of Agreement and Act.

Senior GJM leaders were not available for comment, but Arun Sigchi, the Sabhasad from Mirik-Soureni constituency, said, “The TMC, or for that matter, any party, can hold political programmes wherever they want in a democracy. However, the Trinamool’s claim of having established a solid base in the hills will have to be proved when they hold their seminar on Wednesday. We would like to see their supporters from the hills and not the plains.”

Source : EOIC

Mamata Banerjee, Bimal Gurung together at Himal Tarai Dooars Sports Festival 2014-15

10:17 AM

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sports

Vivek Chhetri
Darjeeling, Jan. 21: Sport was a great leveller today as didi, daju (elder brother) and bhai found a common ground to cultivate their relation that has been rocky since 2011.

Mamata Banerjee, Bimal Gurung at Himal Tarai Dooars Sports Festival 2014-15

Mamata Banerjee, Bimal Gurung and Bhaichung Bhutia showed mutual respect while sharing the stage on the Dali Police Grounds here today.

Bhaichung, who was referred to as bhai (brother) by Gurung, was conferred with the Bangla Gaurav award by Mamata at the prize distribution ceremony of the Himal-Terai-Dooars Sports Festival 2014-15 organised by the police department.

Bhutia, Trinamul's face for the Darjeeling seat in the last Parliamentary polls, said: "We must appreciate the role taken up by the police to promote sports. I believe that after such a tournament, they should select a pool of sportsmen who can be given further exposure. Bimal daju (elder brother) and Mamata didi are also here today and I would request that they should come up with an artificial turf in the hills. This will help football immensely as there is a lot of talent in these areas."

The two-month-long fest included football, taekwondo, archery and karate competitions along with the Darjeeling police marathon. The winners of different competitions were awarded at Dali today.

Gurung, who spoke after Bhaichung, said: "Bhaichung Bhutia bhai referred to a good point with regard to football. It will be good if we work towards it. The GTA can work for this. We will provide 100 per cent support. This kind of initiative will help bring our younger generation to the right track."

Gurung's relation with Bhaichung went sour after the footballer was nominated as the Trinamul candidate for the Darjeeling Parliament seat. Gurung's decision to support the BJP for the seat had also strained his ties with Mamata.

Today, Gurung spoke for around six minutes. "My best wishes, especially to Miss Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of Bengal. She loves Darjeeling and this is why she comes here often. She loves sports. It is because of sports that the relations between the hills and the plains are getting better."

Mamata during her nine-minute-long speech did not speak on political issues unlike in 2013 when she had said "Darjeeling is part of Bengal" at an official programme at Chowrasta here.

The comment had angered Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Gurung who has been demanding the Gorkhaland state.

Today, Mamata said: "Bhaichung talked about a team (pool of good sportsmen). I am telling him, we have given you responsibility and we will provide all help to you. There is a lot of quality in the hills and I love Darjeeling for this. We are proud of the sisters and brothers of Darjeeling and that is why I come to Darjeeling often. The Terai and Dooars are also moving ahead and we need to help the region. I want to work for the betterment of Darjeeling. Bimalji is there in the GTA and together we will do good work for the hills."

Tomorrow, a GTA delegation, including the three hill MLAs and GTA executive Sabha members Roshan Giri, Taranga Pandit and Tilak Chand Roka, will meet Mamata at Richmond Hill here to discuss GTA's functioning. Gurung will not be part of the delegation as he will leave for Nepal.

Source: Telegraph

Bhaichung Bhutia Inducted in AFC Hall of Fame

2:02 PM

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sports news

Former Indian National Team Captain Bhaichung Bhutia has been inducted to the AFC’s (Asian Football Confederation's ) Hall of Fame, a letter from Dato Alex Soosay, General Secretary, Asian Football Confederation, to All India Football Federation, confirmed.

Bhaichung Bhutia has been inducted to the AFC’s (Asian Football Confederation's ) Hall of Fame

“The AFC is celebrating its 60th Anniversary in Philippines on November 30 this year where a joint event will take place to celebrate the Anniversary as well as reward Asia’s finest at the AFC Annual Awards,” the letter read.

“It is my pleasure to announce that India’s legendary Player Mr. Bhaichung Bhutia has been selected to be honoured as an inductee to the AFC”s Hall of Fame.”

Besides Bhaichung, nine other legendary Players from Asia would also be honoured. The Awards are being instituted for the first time and Bhaichung is the sole Indian in the glittering list.

In his congratulatory message, Mr. Praful Patel, President, AIFF said: “Bhaichung has been the flag bearer of Indian Football in over 100 International matches. My heartiest congratulations to him! Post retirement, he has been closely associated with AIFF and we expect to work closely for the development of the sport in the Country.”

Congratulating Bhaichung, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, stated: “It’s a huge honour for Indian Football. Being an inductee into AFC’s Hall of Fame is recognition of all his hard work and commitment. We at AIFF are very proud of his achievements and look forward for his involvement as we move ahead.”

Bhaichung thanked AFC for selecting him into the Hall of Fame.

“It’s a great honour for me. I need to thank AFC for finding me competent enough. I also need to thank All India Football Federation for their continous support.”

“Obviously it won’t have ever been possible without the support of all my teammates whom I have played along with and also the Coaches for their guidance and Clubs I have represented. A special thanks for all my fans for standing beside me. This Award more for you than mine,” he maintained.

Football Club of Sikkim (FCS) not to boycott any national league

9:18 AM

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sports news

Former national football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia, presently president of the Football Club of Sikkim, today announced the future of youngsters in terms of their football career is very important and hence the FCS will not boycott any national league or tournament as asserted recently by the Sikkim Football Association (SFA) in their press release few days back.

FCS not boycott any national league

He also said local football club members and former players should be granted membership with voting rights in the SFA, which is a valid demand as per the SFA Constitution.

Speaking today at a press meet here at the Press Club of Sikkim, Bhutia said the FCS will not boycott any national league or tournament and instead demanded the SFA to conduct state level tournaments for U-14, U-16 and U-19 players ahead of the 2nd Division I-League and Senior League.

The former skipper noted a single day’s selection process is hardly adequate to adjudge a player’s talents and what is needed is a three-week camp at least in all the four districts of the state. For this endeavour, the FCS is ready to extend every possible help to the SFA, he assured.

The SFA has always given preference to the Governor’s Gold Cup over the leagues and if the same priority is accorded to local leagues, Sikkim’s football will definitely experience a marvelous turnaround and even clinch prestigious tournaments such as the Santosh Trophy, noted Bhutia.

Further, Bhaichung, along with other FCS members, also demanded the immediate resignation of three executive members of the SFA, namely BK Roka, Menla Ethenpa and Karma Yogyal.

“Although I happen to be a member of several international football associations, I feel sad to say the SFA is not accepting me as one of its members and declines to accept my help. I sincerely want to contribute to Sikkim for the benefit of our budding footballers and clubs’, remarked Bhutia.

He added the SFA cannot be termed as a “bad” association, but it has some members who seem bent on not letting the association function smoothly, which is hampering Sikkim’s football prospects. The ace footballer also informed the FCS has written to the AIFF asking the apex body to intervene in the matter, and if the SFA fails to comply despite this, the FCS, according to AIFF guidelines, will form a new association and conduct leagues in the state.

FCS general secretary Phurba Sherpa also noted the SFA has not conducted any sub-junior camps and tournaments as yet. Unless the SFA sits for discussions with the FCS, the latter, which includes all the 13 football clubs in Sikkim, will boycott the state league, he added.

Further, Sherpa urged the SFA to dissolve the existing body and conduct fresh elections citing a number of empty positions within the association after the resignations of several members who were government employees.

“We are not external elements, but concerned individuals and an integrated part of Sikkim football who are selflessly working for the benefit of young players since the past several years to promote both players and the beautiful game,” concluded Sherpa.

Source: EOI

Darjeeling District TMC Committee formed by Mamata Banerjee

8:32 AM

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Trinamool Congress

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee at a meeting on Friday officially formed the party’s Darjeeling District Committee and Darjeeling Hill Committee. Informing about the meeting, the newly reappointed TMC Darjeeling hill committee president Rajen Mukhia said the party’s Darjeeling district committee will have Gautam Dev as President, while Bhaichung Bhutia, Nantu Pal and Alok Chakrabarty will function as working presidents. The TMC hill committee will have former Kurseong MLA Shanti Chettri as working president, he added.

TMC Darjeeling hill committee president Rajen Mukhi

The TMC president has also directed the newly appointed leaders to provide a complete report on the district and hill committees to the party’s national general secretary Mukul Rai by June 14.

Mukhia said, “The two committees were formed in preparation to the state assembly elections in 2016. The amount of votes received by Bhutia during the Lok Sabha election has projected the party as the second strongest front in the region and we want to improve that further to attain the top position.” The party president is happy with the performance in the hill and has directed the two committees to strengthen the support-base further ahead of the assembly elections, Mukhia added.

Source: EOI

Bhaichung Bhutia hinted at quitting politics

9:36 AM

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TMC

Addressing his first press conference today in Darjeeling following his loss of the Darjeeling seat in the Lok Sabha election, footballer-turned politician Bhaichung Bhutia hinted at quitting politics even as he pledged to continue extending all possible support to ensure the development of the hills.

Bhaichung Bhutia appears for the press conference in Darjeeling.

The former national football skipper had contested in the general election as the Trinamool Congress candidate from Darjeeling constituency. By fielding Bhaichung, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had apparently expected him to garner significant votes not only from the Darjeeling hills, but also from the plains where he is popular for his achievements in the football field. However, Banerjee’s strategy went awry as Bhaichung lost by a margin of nearly 2 lakh votes to rival Surendra Singh Ahluwalia of the BJP-GJM combine.

Speaking in the afternoon on the sidelines of the party’s core committee meeting in Darjeeling, Bhaichung answered a number of queries regarding his political prospects.

He said, “My bread and butter will remain football and I can remain associated with the sport either as a commentator or by playing in exhibition matches. I have to earn my livelihood. However, my presence or absence in politics will not matter as I promise to extend every possible support from all angles to my party and the people of the hills. In fact, even when deeply engrossed as a footballer, I have done a lot of things for the Darjeeling hills.”

Even as he congratulated Ahluwalia for winning, the ace footballer on hindsight felt the poll outcome could have been better for him.

“Securing more than 91,000 votes on the very first outing is good showing, but we did expect more than that number. However, as I have said earlier, we have to accept the people’s mandate,” said Bhaichung.

At the same time, he admitted a lot needs to be done in terms of the TMC’s organisational structure.

“We are assessing the election results to identify our weaknesses and drawbacks and to work on addressing them in future. We need to win the hearts of the masses,” he noted.

On the TMC’s hill unit and its future role in the region, Bhaichung said it is important to facilitate the smooth functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration keeping the people’s interests upmost in mind.

He said, “Of course, we need to be a worthy opposition. We must also extend all possible support to the GTA to ensure it functions well for the welfare of the people. Having said so, I wish to stress our party has always worked for the development of the hills and its residents and will continue doing so.”

Commenting on the recent spate of inter-party clashes in the hills, the football star said he strongly condemns such activities and they should be shunned at all costs.

“Now that the election is over, I appeal to all the political parties in the hills to maintain peace. If a region is to develop and its people to prosper, efforts must be made to ensure peace and stability are maintained. It won’t be incorrect to state our party has managed to restore peace in the hills after a long period of unrest and instability,” said Bhaichung.

The meeting was attended by senior members of the hill TMC unit and discussions held as to where the party erred in the run-up to the election as also the rectifications needed to be done. Senior party members including Bhaichung also thanked voters from both the hills and the plains who had supported the TMC candidate.

Source:EOI

BJP SS Ahluwalia wins in Darjeeling, Interesting times lie ahead in the hills

7:34 PM

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TMC

BJP candidate for Darjeeling constituency, Surinder Singh Ahluwalia won by 196,795 votes in the Lok Sabha Election.SS Ahluwalia secured 487,564 votes, while Bhaichung, TMC candidate, received 290,769 votes.

Darjeeling residents arrive at Shri S S Ahaluwalia's place in Darjeeling

Rior to Lok Sabha polls, Darjeeling witnessed an upsurge of Trinamool Congress under the draconian eyes of Mamata Banerjee, who was gradually gaining grounds and winning some hearts in Darjeeling with her divide and rule policy. TMC's candidate, Bhaichung Bhutia looked a strong candidate and posed a great threat to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), the leading political party in the hills. But, election results portrayed the strength of GJM and people's faith in BJP, as the local party had backed BJP's candidature of SS Ahluwalia, who won Darjeeling's Lok Sabha seat with 1.98 lakh votes (at present).

Scenes in the party office of GJM

The scenes in the party office of GJM were something to watch out for, as party's supporters' smiles said it all. The dream of Gorkhaland could be seen from far away, their glistening eyes narrated the dream. Some of them were even dancing on the streets outside the party office to the tunes of an emphatic victory with party flags in their hands.
GJM general secretary, Roshan Giri was excited with BJP's victory, as he said, ''We have high expectations from BJP after this victory. The party (BJP) will look into the demand of Gorkhaland.'' But, not everyone is optimistic about the dream of Gorkhaland, even after BJP is all set to come to power.

During the last elections as well, it was BJP who won the Lok Sabha seat from Darjeeling in the form of Jaswant Singh, who had promised Gorkhaland during the time along with Bimal Gurung. So will it be the same this year as well - promises not being delivered. Jyostna, a resident of Darjeeling does not have high expectations, as she said, ''It does not matter who comes to power. All are the same. But, the good thing is that BJP has stood for smaller states, so Gorkhaland might have a slight chance. But, I have a question - can we think of Gorkhaland when TMC still rules Bengal?''

Roshan Giri is well aware of the fact about TMC being in power. With a tone of confidence in his voice, he said, ''That is there (TMC in power), but after all, it is a positive sign that the absolute majority will be with BJP at the centre.'' Though, BJP may not have directly included Gorkhaland in their manifesto, but the locals have trusted upon the party to deliver their long pending dream of Gorkhaland.

GJM has pinned their hopes on SS Ahluwalia, who the locals feel, do not understand the culture, tradition and language of the hills. Ironically, they had to vote for BJP, as other candidates stayed aloof from the demand of Gorkhaland. Alok Pariyar from Kalimpong said, ''These leaders do not understand the local aspirations. They do not even spend much time with the locals. They mostly spend their time in Delhi. I do not expect much change even after BJP comes to power.''

But, there are some locals who still hopes that the problems of the Gorkhas would be addressed by the party coming to power ? BJP. ''I hope that the party will look into the issue of Gorkhaland, which is a decade old demand. One hopes that the party also addresses other issues of Gorkhas as well, which are in abundance'' said Parsu Himgmang.
Upendra, another resident of Darjeeling who has followed politics in the hills for many a years gives a deep insight to BJP's victory. He said, ''The only reason why BJP has won in the hills is that the people in the hills are still hoping for Gorkhaland. People remained steady fast with BJP, expecting that the BJP has the required strength and guts to see through the demand of Gorkhaland.''

It was no seceret that BJP would win the elections in the hills, but many experts were surprised when BJP received a number of votes in the plains as well, which primarily includes Siliguri, where a large number of Bengali population reside and are against the formation of Gorkhaland. One had expected TMC and CPI (M) to outmuscle GJM, but it was not to be. ''This is the result of the draconian policy that had been adopted by TMC, which has even angered the people in the plains. TMC created a brutal regime of fear,'' said Upendra.

While there were other reasons for an overwhelming victory for BJP as well. The pathetic condition of the tea garden workers in Darjeeling and Dooars, Alipurduar also forced people to go against TMC. ''Nepali and Adivasi tea workers might have also voted for GJM 'asking for help' to look into their pathetic ocndition.''

With such comfortable victory for BJP, TMC no longer holds the power to instill that fear, with BJP and SS Ahluwalia in power. GJM seems to have played the election game with Ahluwalia as an ace card, as Ahluwalia enjoys a good relationship with Narendra Modi, who will be the first citizen of India. This relationship can only play an important role in realising the demand of Gorkhaland. Ahluwalia can be used as a shield to protect GJM, if required against TMC, who will still rule the state.

Interesting times lie ahead in Darjeeling.

Source: Ashim Sunam - merinews

Uphill task and plain truth

12:52 AM

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Subash Ghising

Tamsang wondered why his father wanted him to sacrifice his career and return home. “I had a passion for Oriental studies and taught British army officers. I was enjoying life. But, I could not decline my father's last wish,” recalls Tamsang, 69.

Lyang Song Tamsang, Ahluwalia and Baichung Bhutia

He understood his father's rationale only after he started visiting Kalimpong's villages. “I came to know how the people of my community lived,” he says. “They were completely dependent on the forest for food and had no beds to sleep on. I have been to many countries-wealthy and impoverished. I never saw such extreme poverty anywhere.”

Tamsang became an activist. He conducted a study of the region and concluded that the reason for the people's plight was entirely political. He felt the government ignored the Lepchas because the community had one of the slowest population growth rates in India.

“In fact, our growth was negative for many decades,” he says. “We were never counted in the Indian political circle, unlike the Gorkhas in the region.”

Tamsang and other Lepcha leaders urged the people to bring about a population boom. “We had no alternative,” says Tamsang. “The government would take our views into consideration only if we establish ourselves as a force to reckon with.”

Now, the Lepcha community in Darjeeling has registered a marginal positive growth. In this election, the 50,000-strong Lepchas in Kalimpong region have finally found their voice. The community, in fact, could decide the cliffhanger between the BJP's national vice-president and Rajya Sabha member S.S. Ahluwalia and former football ace Baichung Bhutia of the Trinamool Congress. Incidentally, both do not belong to West Bengal; Ahluwalia is a Punjabi (who was educated in the Kolkata) and Baichung is from Sikkim.

The Lepchas are likely to back the Trinamool Congress, which took up their cause last year. In an apparent bid to offset the impact of the Gorkha cry for statehood, the Mamata Banerjee government created an administrative board for Lepchas, shortly after it had to set up the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA). And it has been given 025 crore for developmental projects.

Many people questioned the government's move. “She [Mamata] wanted us tribes in the hills to fight, so that she can reap benefits. She is worse than the CPI(M) and out to destroy Darjeeling,” Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung tells THE WEEK.

Though the board-which does not have the Centre's approval-has no powers to enable autonomy, the Lepchas are a happy lot. “West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is the bestower of fortune,” reads the board's manual.

With the initial funds they have received, Lepcha women, who will get 02 lakh each, are to build 1,000 houses in Kalimpong. “This is aimed at empowering our women,” says Tamsang, who heads the board.

While the Lepchas have rallied behind the Trinamool Congress, the GJM-BJP grip over the Gorkhas seems to be weakening. “For the first time in three decades, the election in Darjeeling would be fought politically,” says CPI(M) state committee member Ashok Bhattacharya. “This is interesting; the best part of elections in West Bengal.”

He credits the Nepali-speaking majority, the Gorkhas, for the change of mood in the constituency. “Earlier, the CPI(M) was not allowed to even step on the hills. Our offices were burnt down during the massive agitation. But today, Darjeeling is open to all parties; this is very encouraging.”

As THE WEEK travels across the hills, it is clear that the demand for Gorkhaland does not dominate the election campaign. Though the aspiration for a separate state remains, the people say they would not go by any political diktat while voting, but use their brains rather.

During a rally in Kalimpong, Ahluwalia tells the crowd that he belongs to the Sikh community, which, like the Gorkhas, has made many sacrifices for the Indian Army. The crowd's response is tepid.

“Jai Mahakali, Ayo Gorkhali is the war cry of Gorkhas. For Sikhs, it is Jo Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akal. I am not an outsider. I am like you,” Ahluwalia shouts to infuse some josh. It has little impact on the crowd.

He says Ari Bahadur Gurung, who hailed from Darjeeling, was one of the signatories of the Indian Constitution and the first barrister of Darjeeling hills. The BJP veteran assures that if he wins, he would erect a statue of A.B. Gurung in Darjeeling and New Delhi. Yet again, the crowd remains unmoved.

Finally, Ahluwalia plays his trump card: “Har har Modi, ghar ghar Modi.” The crowd erupts. “Don't you want to see Narendra Modi as prime minister?” “Yes!” they roar.

The GJM, which once nurtured the dream of a separate state, seems to have lost steam. A high-pitch call for Gorkhaland can no longer assure victory. In 2009, now-expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who was backed by the GJM, won the seat by a margin of 2.6 lakh votes. He played up the statehood issue and solely banked on the hills' six lakh votes.

This time, however, Ahluwalia is relying on the eight lakh votes in Darjeeling's plains, mainly the Siliguri region. An equal division of votes in the plains among the four parties, including the Congress and the CPI(M), would ensure the BJP's victory.

The pro-Trinamool stand of the Lepchas and the Gorkha National Liberation Front in the hills has unnerved Ahluwalia, who has abandoned the issue of a separate state halfway, fearing a backlash in the plains.

“The BJP has never said this time that it would carve out a separate state,” says Ahluwalia. “But there is no harm in examining the issue. That does not mean that a separate state would be carved out immediately.”

With the support of the Lepchas and the GNLF, the Trinamool Congress can bag more than one lakh votes from the hills. And if Baichung dribbles past Ahluwalia in the plains, the Trinamool Congress will win the match.

Carefully avoiding the question on his views on Gorkhaland, Baichung says: “The BJP has done nothing for the hills. They, along with the GJM, exploited the aspirations of the people of the hills. The people have understood that. No doubt, I will win.”

Gurung, who also heads the GTA, admits that his support has dwindled in the hills, but still is certain of victory. “Take my word, we will win,” he says. “Yes, the victory margin will decrease this time, but we will sweep the hills.”

Besides the weakening support base, Ahluwalia and Gurung have another headache: a pro-Gorkhaland independent candidate, M.P. Lama. They allege the Trinamool Congress has roped in the former vice-chancellor of Sikkim University to fracture the Gorkha vote bank.

Desperate to retain Gorkha votes, the BJP has inducted Chhatre Subba, former chief of GNLF's militant wing, who was jailed for 10 years. Subba was accused of attempting to assassinate GNLF chief Subhas Ghising, when he softened the demand for a separate state.

Asked why the party has accepted a militant leader, who once raised secessionist slogans, Ahluwalia turns defensive. “I do not consider him an insurgent or militant,” he says. “He was merely a product of agitation.”

Now, the basic question is why, all of a sudden, Gurung and co. have lost their ground in the hills. “He was clueless about how to proceed with the Gorkhaland issue,” says B.K. Pradhan, a lawyer who leads the civil society in the hills. “He raised false hope and talked big, but was not able to stick to it. His biggest mistake, however, was to ally with Mamata during the last Assembly election. That gave her a foothold in the hills.”

Pradhan, the first chairman of Darjeeling municipality, says that the BJP, however, can take heart, as Mamata's setting up of the Lepcha board has irked the Gorkhas. The palpable Modi wave, too, would boost the BJP's prospects, he adds.

Incidentally, the BJP would have received a major blow had the GJM and the Trinamool Congress sealed an alliance that was being discussed. But talks failed after Mamata unilaterally declared Baichung as the candidate.

“Mamata behaved like an insane person,” says Gurung. “In the morning, she told me there would be consensus. By evening, she did a somersault. She does not believe in any decorum. She is a selfish politician. She created a division among the hills' brothers. She has withdrawn my security, despite the fact that, as the GTA president, I enjoy the rank of a cabinet minister. Someday, I will give her a befitting reply.”

Gurung's swinging between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress and his wavering stand on statehood have not gone down well with the people. “This man takes a hard stand on one day, and goes soft on it the next day,” says Pradhan, pointing at how the steadfast Telangana movement yielded success. “How can the people rely on him?”

Even GJM leaders say Gurung has turned pliant. “Yes, we are losing ground,” says GJM general secretary and MLA Harka Bahadur Chetry. “What worries me is that unrest could return to the hills. Our party president and the chief minister should have worked sensibly to give the hills maximum benefit. Now, if we win this election, we will be able to hold our ground and do good for the region. If we fail, hard days will return to the hills. And then, our existence would be in question.”

Agrees Amar Rai, one of the signatories of the agreement between Darjeeling and the Union government: “If the BJP loses this election even after getting the GJM's support, the government of West Bengal would take that as a referendum against a separate state. I think this is the last shot at Gorkhaland.”

Interview / Baichung Bhutia, Trinamool candidate in Darjeeling

I want to strengthen Mamata's hands

Former Indian football team captain Baichung Bhutia, though born in Sikkim, was once very close to the CPI(M) in West Bengal. As the Trinamool Congress candidate in Darjeeling, he is banking on Mamata Banerjee's image to offset the pro-Modi wave in the region. Excerpts from an interview.

What are your poll prospects?

I have a great chance. I played football for India. Now I am contesting elections. This is the second half of my career.

People say you are an outsider who has little knowledge of Darjeeling's problems.

I have spent more time in West Bengal than those who have doubts about me. Though I grew up in Sikkim, Kolkata is my home. I have toured different parts of West Bengal, including Darjeeling. I am well connected to the people of Darjeeling and have helped the youth from here. People who tag me as an outsider have not mixed with the people like I did.

By entering politics, haven't you polarised your fans?

No. In fact, I entered politics because everyone in the state loves me. I want to give them something in return. I used to entertain them through football. Now I want to change their lives.

Why Trinamool Congress?

Because of Mamata Banerjee. She is trying hard to change West Bengal. I want to strengthen her hands. She has a mission and vision for the state.

Will you be able to fulfil the aspirations of the people?

Darjeeling is not all about hills. The plains have four Assembly constituencies and the hills have three. I will be everybody's man. Political parties, including the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and the BJP, have cheated the people in the hills. They gave false promises by raising the statehood issue. Former MP Jaswant Singh of the BJP never raised issues of development in Parliament. People need good roads, water, electricity and jobs. But they got only slogans.

Don't you feel separate statehood for Darjeeling is the need of the hour?

I won't say whether it is needed or not needed. But people urgently need development. In the hands of the GJM and the BJP, they are a deprived lot.

It is said Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling called up GJM president Bimal Gurung and asked him not to support you.

I don't know whether he has done it. But if he has, then I can only say that the Gorkhas in Darjeeling have contributed a lot to the development of Sikkim. Today, a great number of Gorkhas work there. So the people of Sikkim owe a lot to the people of Darjeeling. It would do a great disservice to the people of Darjeeling if Sikkim interferes in their business. I don't think the Sikkim government or Chamling should in any way interfere in the election process or the internal matters of Darjeeling.

Interview/S.S. Ahluwalia, BJP candidate in Darjeeling

We won't take Mamata's support

A Congressman who joined the BJP in the 1990s, S.S. Ahluwalia came to prominence as a loyalist of A.B. Vajpayee. As the party candidate in Darjeeling, he faces a tough task. Excerpts from an interview.

You are contesting from Darjeeling though you are an outsider.

It's the party's decision, not that I was eager to fight from this constituency. But I am not an outsider; I am married to a Bengali.

The two parts of the constituency-the hills and the plains-have different aspirations.

Yes, but the constituency is the same. In an election, aspirations of people differ from man to man and woman to woman.

Narendra Modi has laid much emphasis on national security. Yet, the BJP inducted Chhatre Subba, a former militant.

He is not a militant. He was the product of an agitation. He never took part in any secessionist movement as far as I know.

But he once wanted to secede from India and led many attacks as military head of the Gorkha National Liberation Front.

I don't know.

What will be your priorities if elected.

I will work for peace in the region. Development would come ultimately. The Naxal movement started from my constituency 47 years ago. Thank God we don't have Naxals here anymore. We cannot suppress people. We will have to address issues.

People here want IITs and IT parks.

We will bring an IIT and an IT park in Darjeeling. Local people are deprived of education. Great educational institutes here serve boys and girls from outside. I will also try my best to get official status for tribal languages. They [the tribals] are being forced to read and write Bengali.

If Modi needs Trinamool support, will you be an interlocutor for him?

There is no question of taking Mamata Banerjee's support.

Source: The week - By Rabi Banerjee

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