Darjeeling, Feb. 23: Uneasy with the success of the strike called by Agsu that had its disapproval, the ruling GNLF today strengthened itself against any such possible repeats by joining hands with the influential business community.
The party formed an apex body of all trading organisations in Darjeeling.
The body christened, Gorkha Baphari Samuha Samrakchan Samity, has at least one representative from the dozen-odd trading organisations of Darjeeling. Apart from looking after the welfare of the town’s business community, it will also decide “whether a bandh is to be observed”.
According to a GNLF leader said: “Every time there is a bandh, there is tremendous pressure on the business community. It is even difficult when a strong political organisation is opposing. This organisation will not only help guard the community against random donations demands but also help the businessmen maintain a common stand on issues like strikes.”
However, political observers feel it is the success of the Agsu bandh that forced the ruling GNLF to bring the business community under its fold, keeping in view the clout of the business sector in determining a strike outcome. “This apex body will ensure that the business community toes the party line in future, avoiding a repeat of the Agsu-bandh episode. The business community also feels they have profited since they have the support of the ruling party,” said party sources.
The structure of the body was finalised at a closed-door meeting held today at the Hindi Himachal Bhawan. The meet was by attended by representatives of trading organisations like the Darjeeling Chamber of Commerce, Meat Vendor Association, Pan Bikreta Sangh, Khudhra Bikreta Sangh, PathPasala Sangh, said sources.
The move, said sources, was aimed at wooing back the businessman, especially those who had shops damaged on the day of the Agsu bandh when GNLF supporters forcibly tried to keep the shops open. The GNLF leaders, present at the meeting, “regretted the incidents”, they added.
With the businessmen joining hands with the ruling party and the powerful Hill Transport Joint Action Committee seeking the GNLF’s support, strikes called by Opposition parties have less chances of scoring a success in the future, feel observers.
