Morcha-TMC relationship: A turbulent affair

Mukesh Sharma Kalimpong, February 19: The 1½ years of cordial relation between the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the Trinamool Government has now deteriorated. The Morcha activists shouting ‘We Want Gorkhaland’ during the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s speech at a governmental programme at Chowrasta, to which the CM had responded in ire, followed by the passing of the Lepcha Development Council (LDC) resolution has added more fuel to the fire. 

Surya Kant Mishra, the opposition leader at the Legislative Assembly on the latter happening had stated, “The TMC’s and GJM’s honeymoon period is over”. With the Morcha Chief, Bimal Gurung delivering speeches furiously against the CM, it seems that the relationship has now settled for a divorce soon after the honeymoon period got over. Only last year, when the CM had visited the hills during Bhanu Jayanti, Gurung had labeled the CM as a ‘mother’. 

However, on the contrary, Gurung on Sunday in a meeting said that the CM is just opposite to her name ‘Mamata’ which means affection. The Morcha, which once used to speak highly of the CM, pin pointing the loopholes of the TMC Government also demanded the application of President’s Rule in the state. Only within these 20 days, much rift has been created in the Morcha- TMC relationship, which now seems vague of getting healed. 

During the Saheed Diwas programme at Kolkata organized by the TMC, 2 MLAs of the hills had also partaken. The Kalimpong MLA, Dr Harka Bahadur Chettri who attended the same in his address had straight forwardly stated, “Till there is TMC Government in West Bengal, the demand for separate statehood will never flourish”. The statement had created quite a stir in the hills. 

The “We Want Gorkhaland” slogan during the CM’s speech at Chowrasta also proved the CM’s advocacy over the hills as false. With the Telengana demand catching its pace, the Gorkhaland demand also seems to be getting stronger. What the Budget Session in the Legislative Assembly holds for the Morcha, is still unknown. The Morcha throughout the Budget Session has decided to hold torch rallies in the hills. Also a series of bandhs have already been declared by the Morcha.