Supporters of the Binay Tamang faction of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha hit the streets of Darjeeling on Sunday, sloganeering against the leader of the party’s rival faction, Bimal Gurung.

This is the first major reaction of the Binay camp after Bimal resurfaced in Calcutta a few days ago after three years and announced his decision to ally with Trinamul, which also has the support of the Binay camp.

The timing of the Binay camp’s rally in which thousands took part during the middle of Dashain (Durga Puja) festival suggests the underlying tension in hill politics.

“The youths organised the demonstration to appeal for peace… we are not weak, helpless. Good things are not coming, some are challenging us, we are protesting these developments,” said Alok Kant Mani Thulung, president of the Morcha’s Darjeeling subdivisional committee, Binay faction, referring to their fractious relationship with the Bimal camp.

This is the first time that the Binay faction galvanised its supporters after Bimal resurfaced in Calcutta on October 21 announcing his support for Mamata Banerjee. Since then, Bimal supporters have slowly started coming out in the open.

On Saturday supporters of Bimal camp had hoisted their party flag atop Gitangadara, a prominent stage for public meetings, at Chowk Bazar in Darjeeling. His supporters plastered posters and come out in the open in places like Kurseong, Sukhiapokhri and Mungpoo too.

However, the Bimal faction’s flag was removed from Gitangadara by supporters of the Binay faction within a day.

Bimal’s supporters use the Morcha flag bearing his picture while Tamang supporters use the original flag of the party.

The slogans raised during Sunday’s hour-long rally from 11am included “Bimal Gurung go back”. The speeches of the leaders of the Binay faction were also directed against Bimal and his supporters.

“Their cadres (those who were on the run with Bimal) are showing a vindictive mindset, that of revenge. This is not good, if they have such thoughts their leader will never be able to enter hills as none would want a law and order situation,” said Thulung.

He also added that a political settlement (Bimal announcing his support to Mamata Banerjee) and a judicial process (in cases against Bimal) were two different issues.

Thulung’s statement and allegations is a clear indicator that the Trinamul has a sizeable task at hand of balancing both the Bimal and Binay factions in the hills.

“This balancing part could be the most difficult part of the new political development,” said an observer.

Many hill residents also voiced their apprehension on the law and order situation. Bimal faction leaders on Saturday had, however, assured people of peace in the hills.

Reconciliation between the two factions of the Morcha seems farfetched for now at least.

“Your leader (Bimal) will have to ensure Binay Tamang’s victory in the coming election if Binay Tamang decides to contest, just to prove his (Bimal’s) leadership ability. Don’t be overenthusiastic right away,” Thulung told Bimal’s supporters.

During the last Darjeeling assembly bypoll, Binay was supported by the TMC but lost to GNLF leader Neeraj Zimba, who had contested on a BJP ticket.

Darjeeling apart, the Binay faction also organised rallies in Sonada and Kalimpong on Sunday.