In yet another shrewd move aimed at dividing the pro-Gorkhaland population of Darjeeling, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday proposed the formation of Tamang Development Council “for the betterment of the Tamang community.”
This even as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha that once vowed to “teach her (Banerjee) a lesson” by resisting any division among the Hill people watched the proceedings with tails between the legs.
This was Banerjee’s second such decision after the formation of lepcha Development Council in 2013 much to the chagrin of GJM chief Bimal Gurung who vainly carried out mass movements protesting the formation of lDC only to withdraw silently into his shell.
Banerjee who was currently touring North Bengal hoped “the moves made by my Government to usher in development in Darjeeling will produce results” even as GJM leaders like Roshan Giri who had objected to the formation of any other council except the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration looked on.
“I think development is the real issue which the past left Government failed to give you. But I will give you everything and I will stand as your sentinel.” she said asking the people of the Hills to work hand in hand with the people of the Plains. While the lepchas are the original inhabitants of Darjeeling, Tamangs are a tribe with their origin in Nepal.