Mamata's desperation in Bengal's Darjeeling Hills may create a win-win situation for BJP

SILIGURI: Desperation of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to regain control over Darjeeling hills may hit back by offering a win-win situation to BJP in Bengal. The state at sharp focus of saffron brigade is waiting for its assembly election in 2021.
Bengal CM's desperation is clear with her support to the recent re-emergence of hill party Gorkha Janamukti Morcha(GJM) leader Bimal Gurung. Despite having many charges against him and after remaining absconded for more than three years, Gurung has just resurfaced. Instead of being arrested, he has been allowed to organize a huge public meeting at Siliguri in Darjeeling district. "Now I am back to lead Gorkhaland movement," he said.

Politics in the hilly and foothills region of Bengal always revolves around separate Gorkhaland statehood demand with a solid pro Gorkhaland vote bank there in around 15 assembly seats. But people in rest 280 seats in the state plains region are strongly against Gorkhaland demand.

Eventually, everyone is keen on utilising this vote bank but without expressing support to Gorkhaland statehood demand. Leaders in hills also, with the vote bank in hand as bargaining tool, keep on changing house. Following a violent clash with state Govt in 2017, Gurung had to go underground. It caused GJM and hill vote bank to split into two factions under Gurung and his former follower Binoy Tamang. Immediately state Govt placed Tamang as chief of hills administrative body by replacing Gurung.

"Now Mamata's move to reinstate Gurung beside Tamang may bring her hill vote bank and thus few seats. But BJP will not leave this opportunity to brand her as a supporter of the Gorkhaland movement in the entire state," said noted political observer Ajay Moitra. "It is a major gain to have a better chance in 280 seats by leaving just 14," said a top BJP leader on condition of anonymity.

On the other side, if she fails in arranging Gurung and Tamang's handshaking, hills will sink deep under violent clashes between the two factions giving BJP scope to shout louder against TMC's failure in maintaining peace in the state. "With what she is doing now, her days are counted in Bengal," said BJP spokesman and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.