Tamang dares Gurung to return to Darjeeling; says will expose graft

Darjeeling: Binay Tamang, who still claims to be the Chief Coordinator of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), has stated that there is a conspiracy to assassinate him and his family.

Incidentally, there is a split in the Morcha with Tamang and central committee member Anit Thapa from Kurseong expelled from the party. GJM president Bimal Gurung has alleged that the duo has tied up with the state government and conspired to derail the Gorkhaland agitation by sidelining him (Gurung).

"There is a conspiracy to kill me. They have hired shooters from Nepal to kill me and my family. They have instructed the persons who are involved in the IED blasts in the Hills to attack my house and kill me and my family members. The police have got proof of this and hence, security has been provided at my residence," stated Tamang, in a press conference at the Darjeeling Press Guild on Sunday.

He said that he and Anit Thapa would continue in the GJM and would not join any other party or float a new one. "We will continue with the struggle of Gorkhaland but we will oppose any form of violence and undemocratic means. Schools and tea gardens have to open. In the next few days, we will come out in person to open up the bandh. People are eager to come out but are scared of the threats of vandalising and arson in case they open shops and ply vehicles," alleged Tamang.

He stated that Gurung and GJM general secretary Roshan Giri have alleged that he (Tamang) has betrayed the Gorkhaland cause for Rs 45 crore. "He has to prove this otherwise I will file a defamation case against them in the High Court," warned Tamang.

Tamang claimed that he had announced the lifting of the bandh from September 1 to 12 in consultation with Bimal Gurung. "However, when there was some public resentment in Sonada over the lifting of the bandh, Gurung back-tracked and blamed me alleging that I had lifted the bandh," stated Tamang.

He also stated that he would soon hold rallies in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik, Terai and Dooars. "Ask them where is Roshan Giri's family and Bimal Gurung's family. Are they in India or abroad? While we have been struggling here, Roshan Giri has been in Delhi staying in a star category hotel for the past two-and-a-half-months. What is he doing in Delhi," asked Tamang.

The latter has vowed to make widespread corruption public. "Who has got a house in Florida, USA? Who has a house in London? Who owns a hotel in Pokhara, Nepal? Who has a flat in a posh area of Mumbai? I will divulge all this with evidences," stated Tamang.

Tamang has written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to initiate talks under his (Tamang's) leadership as Chief Coordinator, GJM.