The Trinamul-led Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad (SMP) has called out a "hollow promise" of Darjeeling's BJP MP before Raju Bista, S.S. Ahluwalia.

Ahluwalia has been accused of making a “hollow” promise to develop Hatighisha, a panchayat area in Naxalbari associated with the late revolutionary Kanu Sanyal.

The SMP has now promised to draw up new projects for the area.

In 2014, Ahluwalia visited Sebdullajote, the home of Kanu Sanyal, and promised to develop it and some adjoining hamlets under the Hatighisha panchayat into a model village under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.

It was expected that around 30 projects linked to communication, sanitation, livelihood, education, health of residents, new options of technology and jobs would be implemented in the area.

"The village was adopted by then BJP MP of Darjeeling. The MP did nothing and it exposes the party's hollow promise. The Left Front-ruled board of the SMP also did nothing. This is why we have now prepared a detailed project report of around Rs 2 crore and work will begin soon,” said Arun Ghosh, the SMP sabhadhipati.

The rural body will take up a series of infrastructure development projects like improving road, sewage and drinking water supply in the gram panchayat.

The area is 25km from Siliguri under Naxalbari block, surrounded by tea gardens. Sebdullajote is one of the localities of Hatighisha where the late Naxalite leader spent his last years before his death in 2010. Sanyal's home has now been turned into the office of CPI(ML).

Apart from developing the infrastructure of Hatighisha, the rural body is also focusing on exploring its tourism prospects in association with the state irrigation department.

“Lalpool canal of Manjha (a local hilly stream) has already become a popular picnic spot. People from Siliguri and its adjacent areas and even Nepal and Bihar visit the place for a picnic. We are jointly working with the irrigation department to develop the place for tourism activities,” said Ghosh.

The SMP and the irrigation department recently conducted a survey of that area. It has been decided that the rural board would carry out beautification work, build sheds, illuminate the spot and develop homestay facilities by involving residents of the area.

BJP leaders defended Ahluwalia and expressed their reservations over the new proposals.

Anandamay Barman, the BJP MLA of Matigara-Naxalbari Assembly constituency under which Hatighisha falls, said: “Ahluwaliaji adopted the village and tried to develop it into a ‘model village’. He couldn’t succeed as the district administration and the state government did not extend cooperation.”

“The Trinamul-led state government often speaks about shortage of funds. Keeping this in view, we are doubtful about the implementation of new projects,” the BJP leader added.

Dipu Halder, a member of the state committee of CPI(ML) and one of Sanyal's close associates, reacted to the SMP plans.

"We have heard promises galore in the past. Unless the projects are implemented, it is difficult for us to believe anything right away,” he said.