Founder-president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha Bimal Gurung on Wednesday released an audio message and asserted that his “political chapter” cannot be closed by Binay Tamang, who helms the party’s rival faction.
Gurung also asserted that he was in Calcutta.
His message bore significance as Tamang and his deputy Anit Thapa met chief minister Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna in Calcutta on Tuesday for the first time after Gurung in late October announced his decision to dump the BJP-led NDA and support Trinamul in the upcoming Bengal polls.
After the meeting, which was purportedly on administrative matters, Trinamul ally Tamang called Gurung a non-entity. A Tamang aide had hinted that Gurung’s political chapter was closed.
“Today, I am in Calcutta and keeping tabs on all developments. These so-called leaders are indulging in cheap politics. Be simple with your politics and don’t lie,” Gurung said in the audio release circulated by his supporters.
Gurung asserted: “Our (Bimal Gurung’s and Roshan Giri’s) chapter will not be closed when you say. You (Tamang) did not give birth to our party. We gave birth to this party.”
A political observer said that Gurung’s assertion that he was “in Calcutta” and his confidence about his political career meant that the battle for supremacy in the hill politics was likely to continue for the time being.
Gurung, purportedly still on the run following the various cases slapped on him during the Gorkhaland agitation, raised questions on Tamang’s decision to address the press at Gorkha Bhawan in Calcutta and not at Nabanna, to drive home the point that Tamang’s statement had not been endorsed by Mamata.
Accusing Tamang and Thapa of not disclosing the core issue discussed with Mamata, Gurung dared the duo to disclose “the truth.”
Gurung also raised questions about celebrations in the Tamang camp.
“People are supporting you just for formality, the results of previous elections are before you. Don’t try and confuse the public when you cannot disclose the real details of the meeting,” said Gurung.It was clear that Gurung was trying to send out a message that he was confident about his future, a day after Tamang dropped hints that he had filled the void in the hills after Gurung ran away in 2017.
A political observer said that Gurung’s assertion that he was “in Calcutta” and his confidence about his political career meant that the battle for supremacy in the hill politics was likely to continue for the time being.
“Bimal (Gurung) is trying to send a clear message that he is still confident even after the Binay-Anit meeting with Mamata Banerjee,” said an observer.
