A section of hill BJP workers boycotted a meeting with Dilip Ghosh, the national vice-president of BJP, in Darjeeling on Saturday for his stand against the division of Bengal.
Sources said that Ghosh was scheduled to hold a meeting with representatives of 23 mandals of the Darjeeling subdivision.
Sanjeev Lama, a district member of the party, said: “Representatives of the 23 mandals of Darjeeling sub-division decided to boycott a meeting scheduled with Dilip Ghosh in Darjeeling on Saturday.”
The local BJP leaders said their boycott to protest Ghosh’s statement against the division of Bengal.
Ghosh reportedly said in Kalimpong on Thursday that they were against the creation of a north Bengal state but the party was sincere about finding a permanent political solution for the hills.
In the hills, however, it is largely perceived that a “permanent political solution” lies in creating the state of Gorkhaland.
“Even though Ghosh seems to have spoken about the (party’s) commitment to finding a permanent political solution, we want to protest as we believe his statement goes against the sentiments of the hill people,” said Lama.
Many believe the development in Darjeeling reflectsthe tight spot that the BJP finds itself in on the statehood issue.
“The BJP cannot support the statehood demand of the hills given its interest in the rest of Bengal. But again, this stance (against Gorkhaland) is likely to antagonise the Gorkha population not just in Darjeeling hills but also in the Dooars and the Terai,” said an observer.
Senior district BJP tried to defend Ghosh and stated that the media was only playing a part in Ghosh’s speech from Kalimpong.
“His statement on the permanent political solution has been omitted,” said a district BJP leader.
On Saturday, Ghosh had stressed a permanent political solution for the hills.
“Since PPS is also about fulfilling various aspirations of 1.25 crore Gorkhas residing across the country, it is taking time,” said Ghosh.
The attendance at an event at Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan, where Ghosh was the chief guest, was thin because of the boycott.
