Binoy Tamang joins Congress

DARJEELING,: In a surprise development, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Sabhasad Binoy Tamang has joined the Indian National Congress.

Speaking after joining the party during a programme at Kalimpong today, Tamang expressed disappointment with the BJP’s “unfulfilled promises”. He said, “All the Gorkha people know that the BJP only gave us false assurances. They won Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling thrice but did nothing to address our issues. After leaving the TMC last year I talked to different parties regarding our issues and I felt that none of them addressed it properly.”

Tamang said that prior to joining the Congress, he had discussions with Congress leaders including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who was also present at Kalimpong today. “I was in Delhi in May end and June first week when I met senior leaders of the Congress which I did not disclose then. I also had a talk with Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who maintained that he will keep the issue of me joining the party with the AICC. He had also asked me to give him that in writing so on June 22 this year, I wrote to him. In the letter, I also mentioned the problems being faced by the Indian Gorkhas and the people living in the Hills, Terrai and Dooars,” he said.

Tamang emphasized his commitment to addressing the issues faced by the Indian Gorkhas and the people in the Hills, Terai, and Dooars. He also mentioned the possibility of more leaders in the hills leaning towards the Congress. 

Most leaders in the hills are leaning towards the Congress and are only waiting to see if the BJP will do anything in the winter session starting on December 4, he added.

“Nothing will happen in the winter session and I am getting information that a committee might be formed for our issues. But such committees have been formed in the past as well but the BJP only took votes from us. I do not have any trust on such committees,” said Tamang.

Speaking to reporters, Chowdhury said, “There are a lot of problems in the Hills that people are facing like water supply issue and unemployment among other things. What will happen to all these? We are not saying we will give Gorkhaland tomorrow, but the people of the hills should also get their due benefits which they have not got till now.”

The district convention of the Congress held at the Town Hall was also attended by Jan Andolan Party president Harka Bahadur Chettri.