Bimal Gurung, president of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, who joined hands with Mamata Banerjee last year in October, but has not publicly met her since then, is seeking an appointment with the Trinamul leader.

Gurung is currently in Calcutta with his senior party leaders, including party general secretary Roshan Giri, senior leader R.B.. Bhujel and youth leaders Prakash Gurung and Anil Lopchan.

Giri, speaking to this newspaper, said: “We are seeking an appointment (with Mamata Banerjee). Nothing is confirmed yet.”

Gurung’s party was in alliance with the BJP from 2009 until October 2020.

Even though Gurung decided to join hands with Mamata Banerjee last year, there are no records of Bimal and Mamata having met after forging the alliance in Calcutta.

When asked if the two leaders have met outside public glare, Giri simply said: “I cannot comment on this question.”

Giri’s admission that his party president is looking to meet Mamata is a clear indication that the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha want their president, Bimal Gurung, to be publicly seen with the Bengal chief minister.

Political observers maintain that given the present political landscape in the hills; many parties are of the opinion that sending a message of proximity with the chief minister will actually be beneficial for their party.

“The chief minister has announced that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections will be held after the revision of the electoral rolls are completed, possibly in January 2022.

“Many hill leaders believe that being close to the state government would help them in terms of perception as the GTA elections are conducted by Bengal’s hill affairs department,” said an observer.

The GTA elections are due since 2017.

Mamata had talked about holding the GTA election in an administrative meeting held at Kurseong on October 26.

However, in that meeting Anit Thapa, president of Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, and a rival to Gurung was present.

Giri, representing the Morcha, was also present but not Gurung.

In Calcutta, Gurung and his team met Partha Chatterjee, the vice-president of Trinamul, on Thursday.

“We are of the opinion that the elections to the GTA should not be immediately held as the issue of permanent political solution is linked to the GTA elections. The political solution should be worked out first,” said Giri.

On Friday, Gurung and his team met state food and supplies minister Ratin Ghosh.

One of the founders of the Morcha, Gurung had not made any public appearance for three years since the 2017 Gorkhaland agitation in the hills.