Madan Tamang: welcome hand

Darjeeling, May 23: Hill politics is likely to take a new turn with the CPM thinking of supporting People’s Democratic Front-backed candidates in the coming civic poll.

The PDF had earlier indicated that it may not field candidates on party lines but extend support to “able” aspirants.

CPM leaders here have expressed willingness to work with the PDF to wrest the three hill municipalities of Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong from the GNLF.

Speaking over phone from Calcutta, the secretary of the CPM’s Darjeeling-Bijanbari zonal committee, K.B. Watter, said: “I will return to Darjeeling in a few days, after which we will officially take an official decision. However, it is true that many of our leaders are thinking on the lines of supporting PDF-backed candidates.”

According to sources, the CPM’s local cadre is keen on supporting PDF candidates. The possibility of a seat sharing arrangement is also being discussed among party members.

“We are thinking of not fielding any candidate in wards where the PDF is strong. We will, instead, urge party workers to support the front’s candidate,” said a senior CPM leader.

The CPM may also go along with the PDF’s inclination to keep away from fielding candidates under a party banner. In such a scenario, the CPM may ask members to contest as Independents.

“We agree with the PDF that civic polls should not be politicised,” said a party leader who did not want to be named.

The PDF has said it will welcome the CPMs move to support its candidate.

“We welcome the CPM’s intention of supporting our candidates. When the GNLF supported our candidate during the Lok Sabha poll we raised no objection. So we see no reason why there should be any objections if the CPM backs our candidates in the civic poll,” said PDF chairman Madan Tamang.

Tamang, however, said there had been no consultations between the CPM and the PDF regarding the civic poll.

“They can do what they want. We do not want to try and influence another party’s decision,” said Tamang.

The GNLF, however, is likely to give tickets to candidates within the party fold.

Political analysts here believe that the alliances formed for the civic election will be an indication of the way the wind is blowing in the run-up to the crucial DGHC poll.