IGJF stages rally highlighting key issues in Hills

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: As part of its election campaign, the Indian GorkhaJanshakti Front (IGJF) on Tuesday took out a “Parivartan” (change) rally, claiming that people in the Hills are seeking change.

The rally, which started from the party office near Chowrasta, saw supporters raising slogans against corruption and calling for “Parivartan”. Ajoy Edwards, the chief convenor of IGJF, was seen interacting with people along the route.

“We need a change from corruption and the total neglect of the Darjeeling Hills. Many big parties come here from Delhi every five years and indulge in politics of lies. Kolkata tries to suppress the people here, like tea garden workers who are paid very meagre wages. We need a change from poverty, along with a change from the rule of AnitThapa. Apart from a change in power, we want a change in how leaders over the past forty years have enriched themselves by acquiring property. We want a change in how people here have been misled,” said Edwards, who is also the party’s candidate from the Darjeeling Assembly constituency.

“We are not in power, but we have been continuously serving the people, as our love for this place will not end. I have been part of eight elections in the past, and we feel that the voice for change is coming from people everywhere. We are seeing a wave and feel confident,” he said, adding that the party will raise issues such as Gorkhaland, along with health, employment, and education.

People participating in the rally also spoke about the need for change from alleged corruption and nepotism in the Hills, as well as a shift in governance. They alleged that the GTA was working for leaders rather than the people, and stressed the need to address issues such as unemployment, education, and other developmental concerns.

The IGJF is fielding candidates from the three hill Assembly seats, along with four more in the plains. While Edwards is contesting from Darjeeling, Bandana Rai has been nominated from Kurseong and BhernoneBritto Lepcha from the Kalimpong constituency.