A new political party Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front ((IGJF) was launched in Darjeeling hills on Sunday (December 22, 2024) with the demand of creation of a separate State of Gorkhaland as its primary agenda. Ajoy Edwards, a prominent leader of Darjeeling hills, who merged his Hamro Party with IGJF, has been appointed as a convenor of the new political outfit.
The development assumes significance as the politics of the Darjeeling hills has been centred on the issue of Gorkhaland for the past several decades.
The leaders behind the new political outfit feel that there is a vacuum in the political space in the Darjeeling hills and they can challenge the Anit Thapa led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM). The BGPM, which administers the regional autonomous Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, is perceived close to the ruling Trinamool Congress.
After announcing the launch of the party, Mr. Edwards suggested that the new outfit will remain equidistant from both the State and the Centre. While BGPM, with the support of Trinamool Congress, administers the GTA, the Darjeeling hills have been electing BJP MPs to the Lok Sabha over the past two decades.
The IGJF has attracted prominent names from the hills such as former IPS officer Norbu Tshering and leaders like Pradeep Pradhan, Prakash Gurung, Yogendra Rai and N.B. Khawash.
Gorkhaland an issue of the community says Anit Thapa
A day after the launch, BGPM leader and GTA chairperson Anit Thapa said that it is an old idea that any party that raises Gorkhaland issues will flourish.
“Gorkhaland is not an issue of any one party. Gorkhaland is a demand of the Gorkha community. It does not mean that if any political party makes Gorkhaland an issue and does politics, it will get Gorkhaland,” Mr. Thapa said on Monday (December 23, 2024).
Referring to Mr. Edwards, the GTA chairperson said that one leader repeatedly starting a new party in the Darjeeling hills is unique and he wishes them all the best for the thinking they have in starting a party.
Mr. Edwards had set up Hamro Party three years ago and soon after its inception the party won Darjeeling Municipality Elections but lost control over the board due to defections to the BGPM.
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) set up by Bimal Gurung was the most prominent political force in the hills till a few years ago. The party had launched a 100-day agitation in the hills in 2017 over the demand of Gorkhaland. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls the GJM put its weight behind BJP candidate Raju Bista, who secured his second consecutive victory from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat.
Published – December 24, 2024 06:17 am IST