With the Gorkha Territorial Administration reduced to irrelevance over the past three months, Mamata Banerjee has put in place a born-again GTA, a loose federal arrangement short of statehood. Whether or not the West Bengal Chief Minister seeks to drive a wedge between the likes of Bimal Gurung (now absconding) and Binay Tamang need not detain us here.
The initiative is without question an effort to bring about a degree of normality in the restive Hills, contending with a shutdown since the first week of June. Hence the robust emphasis on development, a paradigm shift that can be contextualised with the decision to provide Rs 500 crore to the GTA over the next six months to undertake development projects. The pump-priming is distinctly intended to convey a reassuring message to the people. Suffice it to register that Wednesday’s announcement has neither been readily welcomed by the Tamang group nor vehemently opposed by the Gurung faction within the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha. Critical indeed has been the change of guard, with Tamang named as the head of the nine-member board. Another rebel leader, Amit Thapa, has been nominated as the board’s vice-chairman.
This is a distinct departure from the praxis of dealing with the dissident leader from behind the scenes. Yet there have been hiccups at the threshold. Not unsurprisingly, Tamang on his part has declined comment and reports suggest that other hill-based parties are unlikely to join the new set-up. Both factions of the GTA are in a quandary. The government’s administrator has been relegated to the position of just one of the members, the fineprint of the message being that the change mirrors an anxiety to accord a political character to the entity.
“We believe in democracy and this is why political persons have been nominated to the board,” was the Chief Minister’s explanation for the change in the fundamental character of the entity. Though Guring has been fighting a losing battle, there appears to be support for the man’s agenda, however belligerent. And if indeed the other hill parties do not eventually join the reformed GTA, the lack of support and participation might render its effectiveness open to question. In the context of the prolonged shutdown, Banerjee has officially recognised Tamang as the leader of the morcha at this juncture. Whether or not she is trying to forestall the Centre’s move to hold tripartite talks with Gurung can only be speculated upon.
As speculative as to whether the proposed talks will focus on statehood or the GTA, as Banerjee wishes. In the immediate perspective, the GTA must resume functioning and fruitfully utilise the Rs 500 crore earmarked for Darjeeling’s development. Binay Tamang has been muted in his response. And that is cause for worry