The Binay Tamang camp of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has set out on a
mission to win over party councillors at Kalimpong municipality, after
ensuring the support of vast majority of members at Kurseong and
Darjeeling civic bodies.
With that gal in mind and in order to reach out to the people of
Kalimpong as well, Anit Thapa arrived here today, a day ahead of
Tamang's scheduled visit.
This is the first foray by Tamang and Thapa into Kalimpong after they
fell out with Morcha president Bimal Gurung and their nomination as the
chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the state
government-appointed GTA board of administrators.
Thapa, the second tallest leader in the Morcha rebel camp after
Tamang, claimed the councillors of the Kalimpong civic body were already
with them.
"The fact that Kalimpong (councillors) is not being able to directly
proclaim that it is with Bimal Gurung means it is indirectly with
us...There is a message there," he told reporters.
Thapa was referring to the statement of Kalimpong municipality
chairman Suva Pradhan, who had yesterday evaded a direct answer when
asked which Morcha faction his board was supporting. "Our concern is on
getting the work done in the municipality," he had said.
Out of total 23 councillors at Kalimpong, 21 belong to the Morcha.
Sources said Thapa and Tamang were very keen to win over the allegiance of the Kalimpong board during their visit.
Former GTA members Samuel Gurung and Kalpana Tamang in Kalimpong district had already joined the rebel camp.
Thapa extended an olive branch to the Morcha's Kalimpong branch when
he said the local leaders should run the party according to their wishes
not at the bidding of the high command.
"I want to send a message to the people and leaders of Kalimpong. The
leaders must run Kalimpong on their own strength. They are from
Kalimpong and they must run according to their wishes...Till now,
Kalimpong used to be run at the orders of the high command. They should
be allowed to run it in their own manner," he said.
Thapa said the purpose of their visit to Kalimpong was not to talk
about the GTA, but to clear many misconceptions about them among the
people. "We have not entered Kalimpong to talk about the GTA. There are
so many misconceptions about us among the people. We want to clear
those... There are so many allegations against us. We want to explain
our position to the people," he said.
Thapa will be present tomorrow when Tamang is slated to interact with
a cross-sections of people at the Deolo Tourist Lodge. Tamang is also
expected to address the public on the lodge compound.
Courtesy: The Telegraph
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