Darjeeling unrest: West Bengal BJP chief's visit puts pressure squarely back on Bimal Gurung

Life is slowly returning to normalcy after the over 100-day shutdown in Darjeeling but amidst this, West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh's visit has raised many questions. Is Ghosh visiting Darjeeling to expand his political base or does he have a message for Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung.

BJP had earlier designated Manoj Dewan to look after the party's organisational interests in the hills. The situation is still fluid, Bimal Gurung is still underground, parties like Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and Gorkha League are trying to consolidate their positions.

Anit Thapa and Binay Tamang are keen to replace Gurung and enjoy the tacit support of the ruling Trinamool.

The BJP chief was in Kalimpong on Wednesday and will visit Darjeeling today. Sikkim is next in his itinerary. BJP claims that a whole lot of people are poised to join the party. This has led to a flurry of activities in the hill-based parties to keep their flocks together.

Binay and Anit have already washed their hands off any likely protest the BJP state chief may face, which basically translates to some protest at some point of time during Dilip Ghosh's stay in Darjeeling.

However in the current scenario, if anyone stands to lose some piece of the political pie it will have to be Bimal Gurung. His faction lacks credible leadership. Grapevine has it that some central committee members, along with about 100 followers may be keen to cross-over to the BJP.

But the GJM chief is in no position to alienate either the central government or the BJP, at least till the tripartite talks take place. On that deliberation rests Bimal Gurung's slim but probable chances of making a triumphant re-entry to the hills.

Both the Trinamool and the CPM have opposed the hill trip of the state BJP chief.

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