The state Trinamul leadership has instructed its leaders and workers of Darjeeling hills to “go slow” and refrain from any activity that can antagonise hill parties that are its allies.

That Trinamul intends to maintain a close relationship with its allies was evident on Tuesday when chief minister Mamata Banerjee lambasted Shanta Chhetri, the party’s Rajya Sabha member from the hills, for her remarks against Anit Thapa who heads the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM).

Along with BGPM, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha led by Bimal Gurung is also an ally of Mamata’s party.

Binay Tamang, who has quit the GJM and hinted at the “start of a new political chapter,” is also with Trinamul.

On Wednesday, state minister and party leader Aroop Biswas held a meeting with his party colleagues in the hills at the PWD bungalow in Kurseong.

“During the past few months, we have held several programmes across the hills where people from different political parties and also the civil society have joined Trinamul. In yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) meeting, we have been told to continue with such events, but without hurting political agendas of other hill parties,” said N.B. Khawas, spokesperson, Darjeeling (hills) Trinamul committee.

Party insiders said this year, there have been major changes in hill politics which is drawing more people to Trinamul. Fragmentation of political forces have been seen and prominent political faces Binay Tamang, Mahendra Chhetri and Ajoy Edwards have quit their parties. In this situation, many feel it is pertinent to join Trinamul, and the party leadership wants to give space to allies, said a hill Trinamul leader.

Trinamul’s stance seems to have nudged the BJP, which is in alliance with GNLF and some other political forces of the hills. On Thursday, Sukanta Majumdar, the state BJP president who was here, said the Centre is sincere in resolving the permanent political solution for the Gorkhas. “The Centre is holding talks on the issue. Our party has always been with the hill population and has worked for their interests,” he said.