West Bengal foothills political scenario is getting complicated

SILIGURI: West Bengal state is going to face a complicated political scenario in its foothills before next rural body election due to gradually developing clear polarization between two halves of the Tribal community - with their respective walk ways distinctly opposite to each other.

In addition, the submerged Tribal vs Gorkha sentiment is also surfacing up fast in the region on different political issues.

The largest conflict is over the question of tribal's support to West Bengal's ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC).

While the mainstream tribals body Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikash Parishad (ABAVP) has decided to indirectly support TMC, the breakaway group of tribals under the leadership of one John Barla is opposing TMC but accepting support from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.

"We are against separate Gorkhaland statehood movement. Since TMC has never officially supported that, there is nothing wrong if we support it," said Mr. Rajesh Lakra, Terai Dooars regional secretary of ABAVP. On the other side, "I do not know what ABAVP says.

My concern is tribal people's development only," said Mr. John who came out of ABAVP to shake hands with Gokha Janamukti Morcha(GJM). Incidentally, despite having its prime objective of getting separate statehood for Darjeeling hills, GJM had always remained friendly to TMC. The friendship yielded many electoral benefits for both. But strength of the bondage is at declining phase now. .

Clear enough, the tribal community, well known for its own close bondage is now polarized into two halves at Dooars and Terai region in Darjeeling adjoining foothills. "It has already started showing off its ill effect. Sporadic tussles or inner fights are increasing," said Mr. Somra Lakra, a school teacher at Dooars in foothill and a member of tribal community.

In addition to this, the usual localized tribal vs Gorkha fight is also increasing with the advent of panchayat election.

"With over 50% contribution to the populace, tribals want to have supremacy in this region. On the other side, Gorkhas with their contribution of around 30% to the demography want to rule the region.

Gorkha Janamukti Morcha demanded this foothills areas under Gorkaland Territorial Administration, the special administrative body for Darjeeling, at present under GJM ruling. But after failing to get that, the party now wants to establish its supremacy here through panchayat.

As a matter of fact, "Tribals and Gorkhas, both are simple minded but physically agile people. So, any major inner tussle or fight between these communities will cause huge bloodbath.

Government should keep this in mind and no political party should encourage these rifts on own political or electoral interest," said political observers.