Anand Ghatani
Siliguri April 9: The blow was mighty. Time however will tell the significance of its rebirth. Of course the past deed of its leader is still on the minds of the people. Ruthless fear of betrayal is going round in the hills ever since the inception of the demand for ‘Gorkhaland’.
An observation on the political scenario of the hills over the last week was amazing. The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF)—a party that is a pet of Subash Ghisingh, the erstwhile king of the hills—celebrating its 32nd foundation day and simultaneously hoisting the green coloured flag without any disturbance from the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) is any indication for restoration of Democracy, than it would not be a bad idea to say that things seems changing.
Where most of the parties opposed to the GJM could not hold any of their political programmes including the GNLF since Bimal Gurung led GJM came into force in the hills, it was unlikely that the GNLF was successful. The successful effect however may be because of the large number of forces present in the hills now thronging every corner.
Though the GNLF has been harping on sixth schedule- a demand mooted by Ghisingh and rejected by Gurung-- is an old story now and people in general may not again support the demand. The GNLF’s action plan to get its old monarchy in Darjeeling is in no way going to affect the general mass.
First, because people in the hills yearns for a separate state any set developmental set up like the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) or a development body under Sixth schedule is less important. The Gorkhaland for the Gorkhas scattered in the country is identity so that they are not termed as foreigners. Second, the GNLF has betrayed the hill people several times. So, in such cases the GNLF is back to some extent in hill politics but not with a bang.
Having said that, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has got a dual blow with GNLF holding its programme successfully and the Trinamool Congress makes its foray in the hills with leaders not only from other political parties joining them but from the GJM too.
The political game is interesting at this stage but the sufferings for the people are endless.
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