The setback to the NDA in the election is likely to have an adverse impact on the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s plans for a separate Gorkhaland. It is surely going to upset the timeframe — by March 2010 — that party president Bimal Gurung had put before the Gorkhas for realising their dream of a separate state. Political observers say that Gurung has won the battle but lost the war, with the UPA winning the electoral race.

Jaswant Singh, the BJP nominee from Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, won with a thumping majority, but the NDA got a severe drubbing at the national level. However, Gorkha leaders say that though the NDA has lost the election, it is still a formidable pressure lobby and the elected MP from Darjeeling will raise the issue in the House. There’s, however, a wide gap between raising an issue in Parliament and realising the Gorkha dream, said a leader of the All Bengal Gorkha League.

The UPA and the Left Front have been on the same wave length as far as the creation of Gorkhaland is concerned and both are vehemently opposed to the idea.Gurung and his men are, therefore, busy working out their next move and planning the agitation they would launch in the weeks to come. The hills could once again witness a fresh phase of struggle in the near future, said a senior official.

Gurung, his team of Gorkha leaders, and the hill people in general had been hoping for an early realisation of their goal with Jaswant pledging a whole-hearted support for the creation of a Gorkha state.

... contd.