How 'coach' Mamata has made it tough for Bhaichung Bhutia to score a goal

9:25 AM

•

TMC

Writes: Priyata Brajabasi [for Catch News]

Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia is fighting on a Trinamool Congress ticket in the on-going West Bengal Assembly elections from Siliguri. The football icon is taking on veteran CPI(M) leader Ashok Bhattarcharya who is four-time MLA from the same constituency and is currently the mayor of Siliguri.

The Sikkimese player is a popular candidate who is contesting from West Bengal for the second time, the first time being from Darjeeling in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections where he lost to BJP's SS Ahluwalia by 196,795 votes.

His immense popularity in Bengal may not be enough to earn him an assembly seat from the constituency. The party’s decision to field him from Siliguri was a surprise for many including Bhaichung himself.

In a conversation with Catch in Siliguri Bhaichung said, “When I have decided to join the TMC, I have to listen to the head of the party. It’s the leader that decides who should contest and from where. In football too the coach decides where I play, when I play and whether I am fit enough to play. I may or may not be happy about the decision but I have to listen to the leader. Didi wanted me to fight from Siliguri. But it’s not like I was dying to contest from here.”

Ashok Bhattarcharya

Many feel Mamata Banerjee’s decision is almost a free pass for the CPI(M) in the area. Political commentator Partha Pratim Biswas feels this was a bad decision on Mamata’s part. “We love Bhaichung Bhutia, the footballer, but we don’t think that he is experienced enough as a politician, especially in front of Ashok Bhattarcharya who has won from Siliguri multiple times. He should have contested from an area where this opponent wasn’t as experienced or well liked.”

CPI(M) heavyweight Ashok Bhattarcharya is very confident about his chances of winning. Speaking to Catch News in Siliguri he said, “Bhaichung was a very good footballer but he is not a very good politician. He doesn’t know Siliguri or its people and they do not know him either. If it were a clash between two footballers, he would have won. But it’s a political battle and I don’t think he has enough experience to win.”

However, Ashok Bhattarcharya was defeated in the previous assembly elections by TMC’s Rudra Nath Bhattacharya. “There was a TMC wave in 2011, people wanted a change. So I was defeated. But after seeing Mamata’s fascist rule in the state and the various corruption charges against TMC, they will see the Left as a better bet”.

What works in Bhaichung's favour
However, Bhaichung’s potential as a youth leader cannot be written off.

Shyam Roy, an engineering student in North Bengal University feels that Bhaichung Bhutia is exactly what Siliguri needs. “Siliguri has immense potential to be one of the biggest commercial cities in the state as well as the country. It can be a sports city as well given the sportsmen and sports enthusiasts in the region. Siliguri requires a leader with fresh and modern ideas. Bhaichung he can bring that to Siliguri, something other leaders cannot offer. He deserves a chance.”

Bhaichung’s decision to contest from West Bengal despite being a Sikkimese stems from his long association with the state. “I have lived in Kolkata for 25 years. I have played for Kolkata based clubs all my life. I left Sikkim when I was 15. I feel like I am from Bengal and people have accepted me as their own. This is why when I got an offer from Mamata Banerjee to contest from Darjeeling in 2014 Lok Sabha elections and now again, I accepted the opportunity.”

His association with TMC, he says, happened by chance. “I was always interested in politics even during my football days. I always thought I would join politics eventually but the timing was something I wasn’t too sure about. When Mamata Banerjee approached me, I was surprised but I took it up the challenge. Had I been approached by a party in Delhi or Sikkim or even Manipur I may have joined if I felt it was right”.

Gorkhaland question
As Siliguri comes under the Darjeeling district, the Gorkhaland issue is crucial here. The Gorkhali population in Siliguri is about 40%.

Bhutia is very categorical that he would be very happy if Gorkhaland is formed. This, in spite of the fact that Mamata Banerjee has clearly stated that she will not allow the division of the state.

“It is not as if the TMC candidates in the hills are against Gorkhaland. They have sacrificed their entire lives for the people of the hills and for Gorkhaland. But they have realised that development in the hills is more important than separation,” Bhutia said.

He further accused the BJP of double standards.
“People have realised that the party at the Centre is not on board; the BJP MP from Darjeeling hasn’t raised the issue of Gorkhaland in Parliament despite winning the seat on an appeal for Gorkhaland. It is not just Mamata or the state government that is against the movement, the Centre is as well,” Bhutia added.

Mamata Banerjee’s move to bring ex-GJM leader and sitting MLA Harkha Bahadur Chettri into the TMC fold has pushed the GJM and the Left parties closer. Ashok Bhattarcharya announced last month that the Left would not field candidates in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.

While speaking to Catch News, Ashok Bhattarcharya said, “We are not supporting the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) nor are we seeking support from them. But both the Left and the GJM are fighting against TMC. We are weak in the hills, and we don't want division of anti-TMC votes. We will welcome anyone who defeats the TMC”

Left leaders have encouraged their supporters and workers in the hills to vote for the GJM without lending official support to the party. This means that the Left and the BJP, which is an ally of the GJM, are on the same side in the hills.

The Left Front however has openly opposed the GJM’s appeal for Gorkhaland.

Tough competition for Bhaichung
Despite being a celebrity candidate, Bhaichung has a difficult road ahead of him. “You think I achieved everything I did in football, easily? Nothing in life comes easy. Yes Ashok Bhattarcharya has won the seat 4 times and he has been a state minister too. It will be a tough fight but I think I am better prepared, certainly more than I was last time around. We are more organised. My chances seem good.”

Via: Catch News, Originally posted in: http://bit.ly/23qxdV2

READ MORE

Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri slams GJM alliance with CPI(M)

10:12 AM

•

Siliguri

Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri expressed his utter surprise upon the alliance of GJMM and CPI(M) in this coming elections. This is a Black Day for Gorkhas. Because of CPI(M) more than 12 hundreds Gorkhaland martyrs have lost their lives during 86 Gorkhaland agitation and also five Gorkhaland supporters in Sibsu in 2007, it is very unfortunate for Gorkha community to alliance with such a party which has records of insulting our women and lathi-charge on peaceful rally of Ex army. This clearly indicates a motive of GJMM, said Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri.

CPM have recently extended their unconditional support to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in three hill Assembly seats to defeat the Trinamool Congress in the Assembly Election 2016. "With a view to defeat the Trinamool Congress in the three seats of Darjeeling , Kurseong and Kalimpong, we have decided to extend support to the regional party which has the sway in the region," said Communist Party of India-Marxist Darjeeling secretary Jibesh Sarkar said.

Dr. Harka Bahadur Chettri slams GJM alliance with CPI(M) 

On the other hand Mamata Banerjee in a rally in Siliguri attacked on CPM for their support to GJM " Ohey Gurung Bhai, Siliguri Eso, Tomay Chara Amar Jeta Nai... (Dear brother Gurung, please come in Siliguri. I cannot win without you)," Mamata said, scoffing at Asok Bhattacharya, the CPM candidate for Siliguri. "They are speaking over the phone with Morcha leaders and asking for support in the plains, knowing well that the Morcha has an alliance with the BJP."

READ MORE

CPI(M) Extends Unconditional Support to GJM in the Hills

10:13 AM

•

West Bengal

The CPI-M-led Left Front, while it is yet to finalise its tie up with the Congress, on Saturday extended support to the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) in the West Bengal assembly polls.

While the state's ruling Trinamool Congress flayed the Left for supporting a party aligned to the Bharatiya Janata Party, the GJM which holds sway in the Darjeeling hills of north Bengal refrained from commenting.

"With a view to defeat the Trinamool Congress in the three seats of Darjeeling , Kurseong and Kalimpong, we have decided to extend support to the regional party which has the sway in the region," said Communist Party of India-Marxist Darjeeling secretary Jibesh Sarkar said.

He said the Front has decided not to field any candidates in three constituencies to prevent anti-Trinamool vote from getting divided.

"We haven't discussed the issue within the party as of now. So we cannot comment on this," said GJM general secretary Roshan Giri.

Trinamool, which has been ridiculing both the Left and the Congress over their tie-up, hit out at the Marxists.

CPI(M) Extends Unconditional Support to GJM in the Hills

"This indicates the political bankruptcy of the CPI-M and the Left that they are now eager to support a party which is an ally of the BJP," said North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb.

The GJM won the Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong seats in the 2011 assembly polls.

Telegraph

READ MORE

Hill CPI(M) Points Out Bengal Discrimination in Ration Distribution

10:47 AM

•

West Bengal

The Hill CPI(M) team yesterday led by Mr. Tara Sundas paraded evidences of deliberate discrimination by the Bengal government against the hill people.

Highlighting the discrimination, Mr. Sundas said "while the victims of calamity in Singur are given 8kgs of ration every week, the victims of Aila in Darjeeling continue to get only 11kgs of ration every month... how or why is our suffering any different than the suffering of the people in the plains? why is it that the hill people are not given equal ration, despite the fact that the same order is applicable in Singur and Darjeeling hills?"

Mr. Sundas further said, "On 20th March 2014 the Central govt decided to distribute ration at the lowest rate to 6.20 crore people, yet the people in Darjeeling who are on the verge of starvation have never benefited from this low cost ration... so where are the ration going? Why is Bengal govt depriving the hill community, despite the central government passing the order?"

Ration in hills distributed from sacks and Ration in Siliguri handed out in proper packages

Mr. Sundas also showed that in Siliguri ration is handed out in packets, which makes it clean and safe... where as in the hills the ration is still handed out from the sacks, which makes the ration go bad very soon. He added that often rotten ration is distributed in the hills.

CPI(M) has threatened a widespread protest if the hill people continue to be discriminated against.


Via TheDC

READ MORE

Electoral tie-up with Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) may cause heavy loss to CPI(M) in West Bengal

9:58 AM

•

West Bengal

SILIGURI: Joining hands with enemy on short term electoral game is not a new drama in Indian political theatre. But the presently brewing up soft tone of CPI(M) towards its hard core enemy Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) in Darjeeling hills in northern West Bengal, may cause large scale damage to the left party instead of offering any gain in coming assembly election that is to take place during April or May this year.

Since its coming into existence in 2007, GJM had always been considered as hard core enemy of CPI(M). The hills based party GJM, supported by mainly Nepali speaking communities, always remained standing on its main demand for separate statehood in the name of Gorkhaland splitting Darjeeling hills and adjoining plains from rest part of the state. On the other hand, CPI(M) always remained against the demand keeping mass Bengali sentiment against any split in the state in mind.

CPI(M) Bengal

But, Dr. S. K. Misra, CPI(M) state Secretary said today at Siliguri, "Any democratic and secular force or power is welcome with us to uproot this autocratic Trinamool Congress ruled Government." CPI(M) top leader Mr. Ashok Bhattacharya said earlier, "If situation demands, we may welcome GJM also." Clear enough, CPI(M) is now desperate to march with any anti TMC-anti BJP force.
When asked on the issue, GJM President Mr. Bimal Gurung also commented in favour of joining hands with CPI(M) or Congress to defeat TMC.

"This GJM friendship may not benefit CPI(M) at all," commented political observers. As they explained- out of total 294 elected seats in the state assembly, GJM earlier showed its absolute strength in 3 seats and significant presence in around 10 seats in foothills. But the party is near absent in rest of the state. Moreover, following erection of many community based 'Development Boards' by TMC Government, the whole Nepali speaking community support base is no more with GJM but fragmented among many ethnic bodies.
Thus any handshaking with GJM may ensure win of CPI(M) in few seats in foothills. But, "The the whole state hosting anti- Gorkhaland sentiment will go against lefts," they said. On the other side, TMC has already started distancing from GJM after remaining close alley for long. Thus the state sentiment will go in favour of TMC causing further loss of LF.

Via ET

READ MORE

Hill parties should learn from this - CPI(M), AVP, Congress Join Hands against TMC

10:42 AM

•

TMC

CPI(M), AVP, Congress Join Hands to Keep TMC at Bay in Two Siliguri Panchayat Samities

The CPM today entered into an alliance with the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad and the Congress to keep Trinamul away from power at two panchayat samities under the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad.

The Left Front had majority in two panchayat samities - Kharibari and Matigara. Today, the Front tied up with non-Trinamul parties to form boards at Naxalbari and Phansidewa panchayat samities, which were hung.

In Naxalbari, of the total 18 seats, the CPM had won eight. The party got the magic figure with the support of two winners of the Parishad and one of the Congress. Trinamul's seven candidates did not participate in the electoral process today and walked out from the block office before the board was formed.

Saroj Kiran Toppo of the Parishad became the sabhapati and Md Islam of the CPM became the deputy.

"Our aim was to keep Trinamul out of power and we appealed to all political parties (to join). We are overwhelmed that they reciprocated. After keeping away Trinamul in the panchayats, we have sent a message that Trinamul no longer enjoys indomitable status in the state," said Siliguri mayor Asok Bhattacharya, who is also a CPM state secretariat member.

CPI(M), AVP, Congress Join
Hands against TMC

At Phansidewa, of the total 21 seats, Trinamul had eight. Later, the party got support from two members, one each from the BJP and the Congress. The Left, which had seven seats, formed the board with support of four Congress members.

Biswajit Nandi and Nistar Lakra of the CPM became the sabhapati and the deputy, respectively.

Today, the Left formed the board at Matigara and Kharibari as well.

A local Trinamul leader said they were kept in dark about the formation of the rural boards by the district leadership. "The district leaders did not bother to consult us before selecting candidates and we were ignored after the results. No strategy was followed to form the boards," a senior party leader said.

Ranjan Sarkar, the newly-appointed president of Darjeeling district Trinamul, however, said the way the boards were formed proved the CPM-Congress nexus once again. "We have accepted defeat against the tacit understanding between the two parties. We will analyse the results and work for better outcome in the coming Assembly polls."

[Via: Telegraph]

READ MORE

CPIM hand behind renewal of ‪‎Gorkhaland‬ agitation - Gautam Deb

11:00 AM

•

TMC

Minister Gautam Deb today said Bimal Gurung's decision to resume the statehood agitation was a result of a meeting between Siliguri mayor Asok Bhattacharya and Swaraj Thapa, the principal advisor to the GTA.

"Bimal Gurung's decision to resume the movement for statehood is the outcome of the recent meeting between Asok Bhattacharya and Swaraj Thapa. It is after this meeting that Morcha leaders sharpened attacks at the state and our party," Deb said. "We feel that Asok Bhattacharya is inciting the (Gorkha Janmukti) Morcha to resume its movement. People who are trying to encourage those who want division of Bengal will not succeed."

On September 22, Thapa had called on Bhattacharya and both leaders had termed the meeting "personal".

CPIM hand behind renewal of ‪‎Gorkhaland‬ agitation - Gautam Deb Pic via Himalaya Darpan

Yesterday, Bimal Gurung, had said the Morcha would resume the movement soon.

Bhattacharya said: "I have said Swaraj Thapa is known to me for the past 10-12 years. It was entirely a personal visit. We have already cleared our stand over Gorkhaland and said that we don't want any division of state. Trinamul has given recognition to the demand by signing the GTA accord, where it was mentioned that Morcha was not dropping its demand for Gorkhaland. This has encouraged them."

Today, Trinamul published its manifesto for the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad polls.

Source Telegraph

READ MORE

Bharati sets Sunday deadline for fast onto death stir, DF prepares Sunday address

10:21 PM

•

madan tamang

Darjeeling June 11: If the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders are a worried lot at present in the hills, the opposition (read anti-GJM outfits), specifically AIGL, are not far behind. Apprehensive of CBI taking its time to arrest top rung GJM leaders despite warrant being issued, Bharati Tamang, the AIGL president has decided to sit on a fast onto death stir from Sunday.

Political forum–'Democratic Front' in Darjeeling

Twenty-three GJM leaders of high profile has been charge sheeted by the CBI on the Madan Tamang murder case. A Calcutta city court has already issued warrant of arrest for the 23 leaders including Bimal Gurung, the GJM chief. However, with GJM filing anticipatory bail at the Calcutta High court and hearing for the same pending because of cease work for three days, the party which rules the GTA is a worried lot.

The CBI whatsoever has not arrested anyone so far and things have no gone well with the AIGL. “The fast onto death is a last resort for me. The CBI is only dillydallying arrest,” Tamang told journalists on Thursday. Bharati Tamang is also the widow of slain leader Madan Tamang.
Tamang had been murdered on May 21, 2010 under broad daylight at Clubside in Darjeeling while overseeing preparation for a public address that he was to make on the very day.

Bharati’s fast onto death is expected to be followed by a public meeting on Sunday to be organized by the Democratic Front (DF). The DF is a conglomeration of four anti-GJM hill parties formed with an aim to return democracy in the hills. The conglomerate also vouches to work for seeking justice in the Madan Tamang murder case.  The DF comprises of the AIGL, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist, Gorkha National Liberation Front and the Sikkim Darjeeling Merger Forum.

“Permission has been applied for the meet on Sunday. We have also put up posters to sensitize the mass in the hills,” said Shankar hang Subba, the spokesperson for DF.

CPIM withdrawal 

Ironically, days after the formation of the conglomerate the CPIM has withdrawn itself from the DF. The CPIM top leadership in the district feels that the DF should also take up other issues. “The Madan Tamang murder is a sub-judice matter and we find no point is seeking justice through a forum seems redundant. So we withdrew,” said Saman Pathak, a CPIM district secretariat member.

The DF countered saying that the CPIM’s decision to step back has many reasons. “The CPIM was heading the Government when Madan Tamang was murdered. The role of the then West Bengal Government on this issue is murky. Why were there no adequate security arrangements despite anticipation of trouble? How did Nickol Tamang, supposed to be the mastermind of the murder, disappear from the custody of the CID?” said Pratap Khati, the ABGL secretary.

Source: The Himalayan Mirror

READ MORE

TMC wins West Bengal municipal elections : opposition cries foul play

12:44 PM

•

West Bengal

It was evident that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would retain number one spot in the polls, the bigger battle was to grab the second spot. The Left Front managed to reach the second spot by winning in 15 wards of the total 144 wards of KMC

TMC wins West Bengal municipal elections 

In a major boost to the party ahead of next year's Assembly polls, the Trinamool Congress today scored a landslide victory in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation bagging 114 of the 144 wards, and also won 69 of the 91 civic bodies in districts across West Bengal.

The victory in the municipal polls, which was billed as the semifinal before the Assembly polls, will act as a shot in the arm for the TMC, which recently faced serious allegations of corruption, including alleged involvement of some of its leaders in the Saradha Chit Fund scam.

Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee termed the victory as "a befitting reply to the slanderous campaign carried out by the Opposition and a section of the media." The TMC, which in the last KMC polls had won 95 seats, increased its tally to 114 while the main opposition CPI(M)- led Left Front was reduced to just 15 from 33.

The BJP, which was hoping to replace the Left as the main opposition in the KMC, miserably failed, managing to increase its tally from three to just seven seats. Independents bagged three seats in the KMC.

Congress, which was fast becoming insignificant in state politics, managed to win five seats, down from eight in 2010.

Contrary to KMC, the results in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation showed the CPI(M)-led Left Front has managed to regain some of its lost ground capturing 23 of the 47 seats.

TMC bagged 17 seats in Siliguri Municipal Corporation, which was regarded as a prestige fight for TMC leader and state minister Gautam Deb and CPI(M) leader and former minister Ashok Bhattacharya.

Apart from its big victory in the KMC, TMC showed impressive results in municipalities across the state.

The party snatched Sonamukhi in Bankura, Baduria, North Dum Dum in North 24-Parganas, Mathabhanga and Tufanganj in Coochbehar, Gayeshpur municipalities in Nadia from the Left and the Congress.

The Left Front won just five municipal bodies-- Jangipur, Dinhata, Daihat, Siliguri and Taherpur-- whereas the Congress won five municipalities - Murshidabad, Kandi, Jhalda, Kaliagunj and Islampur. The BJP failed to win even a single civic body.

The fate of 12 municipalities is undecided as none of the political parties managed to get a majority.
Dedicating the victory to the people of the state, Banerjee said the results proved that the Opposition's allegations of rigging and violence by TMC cadres were "wrong".

"This victory is an answer to all the slander and canard that was spread against us. Even with so many TV channels you could not do anything. The polls were completely free and peaceful. Had there been rigging, we would not have lost the few seats," she said.

The CPI(M), on the other hand, claimed that the victory of TMC did not "reflect public opinion".
"The results do not reflect public opinion but are a reflection of muscle and money power. Wherever the Left has put up a resistance to the violence the people have blessed us. The results have also shown it's not the BJP, but the Left which still enjoys mass support and can fight for democratic rights," CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim said.

State Congress President Adhir Chowdhury said that the notion created in the media that Congress had become irrelevant was proved wrong.

The KMC results have shown that only two parties have grown in terms of numbers. One is the TMC which has used muscle and money power to increase its votes and another is BJP which has increased its tally," state BJP president Rahul Sinha said.

Mamata Banerjee has announced that party workers will not do any victory celebration in the wake of massive destruction in both India and Nepal due to earthquake. It will be celebrated on 9th May, which is the birth anniversary of  Rabindra Nath Tagore.

Via DNA News

READ MORE

CPI(M) to Demand Constitutional Guarantee for Autonomous Body in Darjeeling Hills

10:09 AM

•

Politics

A part of its efforts to strengthen the party’s organisational base in Darjeeling Hills, the CPI-M is preparing to visit people door-to-door and highlight an autonomy protected by the Indian Constitution for the development of the three Hill sub-divisions.

A decision to this effect was taken during the 21st Darjeeling district conference of the party held at Naxalbari near Siliguri and that ended yesterday.

According to a senior CPI-M activist and Darjeeling district secretariat body member from the Hills, KB Watter, party workers will start campaigning by highlighting regional autonomy within the state and guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

“The autonomous body for the Hills must be more powerful than the present one, which does not have power like a panchayat body. The autonomous body within the state should be formed comprising all departments of the state, except two--Home and Judiciary,” Mr Watter said.

“After completion of the party’s state conference, a booklet will be published in the Nepali language on the subject and party workers will start campaigning door-to-door to create an organization base in the Hills. The booklets will be circulated among the people during the campaigning,” he added.

Source: SNS

READ MORE

Kurseong - CPIM denied permission for meeting

1:26 AM

•

Politics

The venue cannot be used for political meeting: says Admin

Kurseong April 6: The communist party of India Marxist (CPIM) was denied permission to hold their public meeting here on Sunday for reasons that the venue which falls under National Highway 55 cannot be used for public rally. The CPIM had sought permission for rally at Kurseong Motor Stand which ironically is used as a platform for delivering political speeches by every outfit in the hills since a decade.

CPI(M) rally in Kurseong today

The CPIM however turned the meeting into a rally with musical bands which incidentally attracted attention of people and voters. Saman Pathak, the CPIM candidate for the Darjeeling Parliamentary seat said, “If such is the case that a highway cannot be used for political purposes then we accept it. But we would not accept if the venue is given for other political outfits for the same purpose”.

He warned if the administration is found giving permission to other outfits, then he would write to the election commission. The party has decided to hold their meeting very soon at some other place in Kurseong. The CPIM however is harbouring for the sixth schedule status for the hills this election which incidentally was not supported by the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF). Apart the CPIM has also chartered that Darjeeling be included in North East Council, a demand made by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha.

READ MORE

CPM highlights Mamata's 'double role' with GJM

1:49 PM

•

Siliguri

The Darjeeling district CPI-M has started campaigning against the Trinamul Congress by highlighting the ‘double role chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been playing with the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha’ (GJMM) and why she was silent when the GJMM supported BJP's Jaswant Singh in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in 2009.

CPM highlights Mamata's 'double role' with GJM

"Jaswant Singh, who was elected with the support of the GJMM from Darjeeling in 2009, was the supporter of Gorkhaland. But the Trinamul Congress did not comment on the subject in any news paper from 2009 to 2011," the CPI-M says in a booklet titled 'Condition of Trinamul's Switzerland.'

"Not only that, the Trinamul Congress prompted the GJMM to continue with its movement and this was clear when it made an electoral alliance with the GJMM in the last Assembly elections," the booklet says.

The CPI-M leadership also points out to why Miss Banerjee came down heavily on GJMM chief Bimal Gurung on the issue during her recent election campaigning in north Bengal.

"Had the GJMM extended support to the Trinamul, Mamata Banerjee would have not come down heavily on the party at Gorubathan yesterday. Since the GJMM decided to stand by their decision, she started criticising it, fearing a loss in the Darjeeling LS seat," former state urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya said today.

In the booklet, the CPI-M mentions the number of railway projects that were taken up when Miss Banerjee was railway minister, and the present position of those projects in north Bengal, including Darjeeling Hills and Siliguri.

A comparative study on the Trinamul Congress' manifesto in 2009 was published in the form of questions and answers, where the CPI-M was critical on the non-implementation of some proposals.

The CPI-M even criticised the Cabinet meeting at Uttarkanya, the north Bengal secretariat, and the decisions taken there on various issues, including employment in the North Bengal State Transport Corporation and settlement of encroachers in Jaigaon.

The corruption in the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority and the role of the state government in tea plantations have also been highlighted in the booklet.

Source: thestatesman

READ MORE

CPIM set to poll campaigning for Dr. Mahendra P Lama

9:49 AM

•

Mahendra P. Lama

The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists is all set to put all its power behind independent candidate Dr. Mahendra P Lama. CPRM today formed a regional election committee in Kalimpong to launch poll campaigning for the DDUDF founder. Party general secretary Taramani Rai said, “We will back Dr. Lama with our entire support base to help him win the Darjeeling seat. He is not only a native from the Hills, but also a learned and capable candidate.”

CPRM general secretary Taramani Rai (R)
talking to reporters in Kalimpong on Sunday.

Rai informed the decision to support Dr. Lama was taken after holding two crucial meeting with DDUDF. The two parties have also decided to form a committee consisting of experts on Parliamentary affairs after the elections. “If Lama is elected to Parliament, he will take the expert suggestion of the committee in policy making,” added Rai.

The CPRM and DDUDF also has decided to raise various issues together including development in the Darjeeling Hills and the demand for Gorkhaland in the Parliament. Rai further said DDUDF founder Dr. Lama has also agreed to CPRM's proposal that if his voice goes unheard in Parliament, he will resign from the post and undertake a mass movement.

On the issue of supporting a particular party to form the government, he said if Dr. Lama wins the election he will consult with the expert committee and make a decision. Besides, Lama has also agreed to CPRM’s condition that the MP fund will be utilized only with consultation of the policy making body.

Rai said, “Soon the election manifesto will be out with Gorkhaland as the primary agenda. Issued related to development of the region, upliftment of farmers, forest dwellers and tea workers along with education, employment and other issues will also be included.” Rai was also confident that Dr. Lama as an independent candidate will win the Darjeeling LS seat.

Source:eEOI

READ MORE

CPIM Lok Sabha election campaign in Darjeeling

11:31 AM

•

Politics

The CPIM today started its Lok Sabha election campaign in the Darjeeling hills by castigating the Trinamool Congress for giving false hopes to the people for its political gains.

PM rally in Darjeeling's Chowk Bazaar area on Monday.

After submitting a 13-point demand list to the assistant labour commissioner here, the CPM trade union – the Darjeeling District Chiya Kaman Majdoor Union (DDCKMU), organised a public meeting at Chowk Bazaar in town.

Former Rajya Sabha MP and CPM leader Saman Pathak said, "Mamata Banerjee says Darjeeling is smiling, but this is far from true. Only inauguration and foundation-stone laying ceremonies are not development. Real development can come only with 'rajnaitik samadhan', but this is completely absent in the hills. The TMC is using the innocent people of the hills to leverage the general election. I urge everyone not to get swayed by its false promises.”

According to the former legislator, the need of the hour for Darjeeling is to be granted regional autonomy for ushering in overall development.

"At present, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is facing myriad difficulties in functioning because of state government interference. But with regional autonomy, that will not be the case. Besides, regional autonomy would also mean constitutional guarantee," argued Pathak.

Senior CPM leader Asoke Bhattacharya also launched a scathing attack on the TMC describing it as a dangerous party, one that can go to any level to usurp the people's democratic rights.

"The chief minister is vindictive and will go to any level to suppress the people's voice. There is not democracy in Bengal as the TMC uses state machineries to intimidate people. A case in point was the latest round of statehood agitation here, which she termed it as a law and order situation despite it being a political problem," noted Bhattacharya.

The veteran CPM leader also reached out to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and appealed to it to fight for tea garden workers’ causes and not trust the chief minister.

"The GJM is the largest party here and it must stand up to fight for the workers’ rights. I also urge Bimal Gurung not to trust the CM as she will only use him for the election and discard him later as was the case during the recent agitation," he alleged.

The CPM will announce its Lok Sabha candidate next month.

"We will make a formal announcement of our party candidate’s name in the first week of March. But one thing is sure this time; we will have a local Nepali candidate and our issues too will be region-based," said Bhattacharya.

Among the 13 demands submitted to the ALC, some of them are a revision to the existing wage of tea garden workers from Rs90 to Rs285, their inclusion in the BPL category, distribution of food grains, especially rice, in tea gardens at Rs2 per kg and granting of land pattas. The CPM is also against privatisation of the five tea gardens presently under the West Bengal Tea Development Corporation.

Source:EOI

READ MORE