Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) leader Binoy Tamang on Thursday finally decided to support the Trinamul Congress in the rural elections in the Dooars.

Such a resolution was adopted in the GJMM’s central core committee (Binay faction) meeting held at the Chunabhati forest bungalow, in the catchment area of Leesh under the Kalimpong Soil Conservation Division here on Thursday.

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Senior members of the party’s working committee also attended the meeting with the central core committee members and discussed their stand on the issue.

“This was a very crucial meeting. We have taken a decision to go for an electoral alliance with the Trinamul,” GJMM spokesperson Rohit Sharma said.

After a brainstorming session, where core committee members discussed their past during the Bimal Gurung regime, political relations with the BJP, and relations with the present state government for restoration of peace in the Hills, and future prospects following the “aspirations” of the Hill people as well the followers of the GJMM in the plains, especially belts dominated by Nepalispeaking population.

The party also discussed the fate of the Gorkhaland demand, it is learnt. Among the other leaders present here were Anit Thapa, Sanchabir Subba, Satish Pokrel and Amar Singh Rai, the MLA from Darjeeling.

Leaders from the Dooars, however, did not attend the meeting. “Someone asked us for the reasons for the support.

The reason is that the Hills were in the doldrums, and with support and cooperation from the state government, we have been able to restore peace and normality in the Hills,” Mr Sharma, who is also the Kurseong MLA, said, adding, “We are also hopeful that in the near future, our demands and aspirations will be met by the present dispensation.”

Another party spokesperson Suraj Sharma said GJMM leaders will contest the rural polls as independent candidate. “Wherever the GJMM candidates will contest, they will seek support from the Trinamul. On the other hand, GJMM activists will extend support to Trinamul Congress candidates where they are not contesting the polls,” he said.

“A four-member team will be visiting the Dooars region soon to settle the matter with the Trinamul leadership and the GJMM contenders,” he added.

Notably, a leader raised questions on the role of a Central Dooars-based GJMM leader, Madhukar Thapa, a close aide to former GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung.

According to him, Mr Thapa has extended support to the BJP, and many of his followers have started filing nomination papers as BJP candidates in the Dooars.

He also demanded punishment for such leaders on charges of anti-party activities. Asked to comment on the matter, Suraj Sharma said: “The party will take steps against anti-party activities and violation of party’s instructions.”

Mr Tamang, who is also the chairman of the Gokhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Board of Administrators, and who did not address the Press on Thursday, held meetings with other intellectuals at Chunabhati after the meeting, it is learnt, while he failed to get an impressive welcome from the common people, locals said.

“Locals here have not yet accepted Binoy Tamang given the aspirations of the Hill people,” a local driver, who ferries people from the Bagrakote Bus Stop to Chunabhati, claimed.

“Not a single GJMM candidate has been able to file nomination papers. Only people belonging to the Trinamul Congress are filing nominations for the rural polls,” he added.

“How long will Mamata Didi be able to keep good relations with Binoy,” an elderly Nepali speaking woman, meanwhile, wondered. Her relative, C Bhujel, also a resident of Kalimpong district, said: “Mamata Didi keeps control in her hands. They (Binoy and company) will act following Didi’s (Chief Minister) directions. We are experiencing a new phase under GTA-II, but who knows? GTA-III could happen soon.”

Asked to comment, Mr Bhujel said: “Who knows what’s in store for us? We are here now, gone tomorrow. Will the GNLF allow the present leaders to work peacefully? That party is also coming up fast and strong.”