Tea garden union president switches over to GJM (Binay)

Darjeeling: The president of the tea garden workers' union affiliated to the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) has switched over to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Binay Tamang) faction.

The move is aimed at working in coordination with the state government to fulfill the aspirations of the tea garden workers, claimed the trade union leader.

J B Tamang, president, Himalayan Plantation Labour Union (HPWU affiliated to the GNLF) crossed over to the GJM along with 150 families from the Pussimbing Tea Garden on Sunday.

GJM flags were handed over to them at the Community Hall in Rangbull, Darjeeling by Anit Thapa, general secretary, GJM. "The GNLF is an ally of the BJP. At the time of elections the BJP had gone from door to door, assuring the workers of land documents, minimum wages and opening of closed gardens. Now that the elections are over they are nowhere to be seen. Now the BJP is on a membership drive only. Darjeeling is just a vote bank for them," alleged Tamang.

He stated that with the present calamity that has gripped the region owing to incessant rainfall triggering landslides, the BJP MP and MLA of Darjeeling should be in their constituencies.

"When I contacted Raju Bishta, the Darjeeling MP, he stated that it is not possible for him to come to the Hills as Modiji has given him the task of making 2 lakh members in Darjeeling," alleged Tamang.

He further stated that he has dedicated his life for the benefit of the workers and his decision to join the GJM is in this direction.