DARJEELING: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) may have thrown its weight behind the BJP with an eye on a separate state, Gorkhaland, but veteran politician Jaswant Singh, who was once a senior BJP leader but contested this year’s Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate from Barmer, stirred up a controversy on Sunday by alleging that the saffron party was never sincere over the Gorkhaland demand.
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| The former BJP leader was of the opinion that the Bengal BJP unit will never accept division of the state. |
“It is sad that the BJP has not accepted fully the statehood demand of the Darjeeling Hills. The party is trying to ride on two boats over the Gorkhaland issue. I don’t know if the BJP is sincere about the statehood demand but I certainly am,” he said.
The former BJP leader was of the opinion that the Bengal BJP unit will never accept division of the state. “It is a reality that the state BJP will not want a division. Bengal has already seen two divisions before and do not want another. But, I don’t view creation of a Gorkha state as a division of Bengal because it is only a correct solution,” said Singh.
In 2009, the GJM supported Singh’s candidature on assurance that the statehood demand will be taken up by the BJP. In fact, it was also incorporated in its election manifesto. Consequently, Singh won the election by a whopping margin.
This year, the BJP has tied up again with the GJM and fielded S S Ahluwalia — the party’s vice president — from the Darjeeling seat. The mutual understanding remained the “statehood” demand.
When asked to comment if his relation with the GJM would be strained after his ouster from the party, Singh, while extending best wishes to Ahluwalia, said, “The BJP expelled me and that is their thought. However, the GJM is till supporting the BJP, which is the former’s thought. We may have political differences but my personal relation with GJM will remain cordial in future.”
The former union external affairs and defense minister is contesting the 16th Lok Sabha election from his home town Barmer. He contested in the election for the first time in 1967 with a BJP candidate from Jodhpur. “I have been in active politics for more than 40 years and contested in 12 elections. I did not want to contest this election, but gave in to the sentimental demand of my home town for the last time,” said Singh.
On allegations of being absent from his constituency for most part of his tenure and his sudden visit to the hills, the independent candidate said, “With elections come allegations and it is not necessary to give answers to all. On my Darjeeling visit, I have given five years of life to the hills and gained respect, love and support of the people here. I don’t want people to think of me as a selfish person, so I came to see old friends and acquaintance.” Singh is expected to meet GJM leaders during his stay before flying back to Rajasthan.
Source:TOI
