Opposition parties would dub the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) a “watermelon”, green from outside and red from inside, when Subash Ghisingh was in complete control of hill politics until 2007.

Ghisingh, however, never accepted the “tacit” understanding with the CPM that was in power in Bengal, despite indirectly helping the then ruling party win Lok Sabha seats from Darjeeling.

An admission of an alliance with a party against the statehood demand was unthinkable in hill politics then.

The trend, however, seems to be slowly changing.

On Wednesday, Anit Thapa, the chief of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) and chief of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) held a poll meeting in Mirik in the presence of L.B. Rai, chairman both of Trinamul (hills) and of Mirik municipality.

Present-day ruling party Trinamul is also against any division of Bengal.

Rai was candid about their poll alliance even though there has been no official announcement.

“We have coordinated (with the BGPM) while distributing tickets in Mirik. I have been canvassing not just for Trinamul but also for the BGPM. I see no challenge for the candidates here in Mirik,” said Rai.

Rai added the two parties had coordinated similarly during last year’s GTA elections. Even then, there was no official announcement about the alliance.

Trinamul won three GTA seats from Mirik.

“During the start of this rural poll campaign, BGPM leaders tried to convey they had no poll understanding with Trinamul,” said a hill observer. “But it seems now that many in the hills seem to have overcome this hesitation."

Many hill people believe the failure of the BJP to deliver on its promises could be a big reason for the change.

The BJP promised a permanent political solution, which many people interpret as statehood, and Scheduled Tribe status to 11 hill communities.

“As the BJP didn't deliver, many no longer believe the party blindly. They have little option but to accept the BGPM’s brand of politics,” said the observer.

The BGPM says it believes in the “politics of reality” and won't make Gorkhaland just an election plank.