Are new equations shaping up in Bengal’s hill politics? The Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) overtures towards hill leader Anit Thapa during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s visit to North Bengal seem to indicate that.
There are three major political forces in the hills; the Anit Thapa-headed Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), the Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and Binoy Tamang, who plans to start the “third chapter” of his political career, are all allies of the TMC, but are intensely competing against each other to be the “closest” to the chief minister. And, according to sources, amid the rivalry and the game of perception, Anit Thapa seems to be leading. Only Thapa shared the dais at the chief minister’s function in Siliguri on Sunday afternoon. Anit Thapa attended the Vijaya Sammilani in Siliguri on Sunday. He told the media, “I came here after receiving an invitation. I don’t know why the rest didn’t come, or whether they were invited. Moreover, I have never had any disagreement with the Chief Minister. So I came here to talk to her. My main goal is the development of the mountains. ” He added: “The GTA election is stuck in the hills. We are also thinking about speeding up the election. ”
On Tuesday, Anit Thapa was also present at the administrative meeting in Karshiang. Bimal Gurung and Binoy Tamang were not seen on this day too. The TMC supremo seemed to rebuke her own party MP Shanta Chhetri at an administrative meeting in Karshiang on Tuesday. Mamata Banerjee put out a clear message not to quarrel with hill leader Anit Thapa. Besides, the Chief Minister also gave a message about development in the hills. “Anit Thapa is our friend,” the TMC supremo said in support of Thapa. After that, Mamata Banerjee rebuked party MP Shanta Chhetri and said, “Shanta, the party has a discipline. You will meet Subrata (Trinamool president) once in this matter. Everyone in the mountains is our friend.” The Trinamool leader added, “We will not quarrel with anyone in the mountains. They are all our friends. I don’t want to quarrel with any political party in the mountains. ”
Yesterday, Trinamool MP Shanta Chhetri wrote a letter against a section of hill party workers. She alleged that some party workers were deliberately trying to defame her by accusing her of financial corruption. However, she alleged that they were the ones who were involved in anti-party activities during the last Assembly elections. Shanta sent a letter to this effect to TMC Trinamool president Subrata Bokshi.
Anit Thapa had announced a separate team last September. In a press conference, Thapa had said, “No party has been able to solve the mountain problem. No one thought about the development of the hills. With that in mind, I am going to form a new team. Our team will talk about the mountains. The people of the mountains will think of their development. ”
Many people think that the fact that no political party has been able to solve the problems of the hills is a sign that it is natural for them to attend the meeting of the Trinamool supremo. So does Anit Thapar’s independent outfit somehow wants to join hands with the TMC? The Bimal Gurung-led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has practically broken down in the hills. Binoy Tamang has decided to form a separate team. From 2008 to 2021, there have been many changes in hill politics. A few days ago, Bimal Gurung and Binoy Tamang had a closed-door meeting for about three hours. At the end of the meeting, Binoy Tamang said, “No political party has worked for the development of the hills. We are concerned about the development of the mountains. We are willing to do whatever it takes. The issue of mountains has also been discussed in our meeting.” Bimal Gurung had hinted that he would meet top TMC leaders, including the Chief Minister, in a few days along with Binoy Tamang.
Observers say that Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee can make a special decision based on the GTA election. Despite the election, the chief minister left three seats for her “mountain friends”. This time, the Trinamool leader has hinted that she was willing to “tidy up the house again” and referred to Anit Thapar as “Paharbondhu”—friend from the hills.