Ajoy Edwards launches new party, Gorkhaland to be prime goal
Times of India | 23 December 2024
12 Darjeeling: Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) was launched on Sunday as a new political front in Darjeeling. With Ajoy Edwards at its helm, the party will have Gorkhaland as its primary objective. Edwards' Hamro Party was dissolved on Saturday.
Former IPS officer Norbu Tshering announced the party's establishment at the Darjeeling Gymkhana Club. Edwards clarified that IGJF would work independently, and not associate itself with parties in office in both state and Centre.
IGJF has already attracted several important political figures from the region like Pradeep Pradhan, Prakash Gurung, Yogendra Rai, NB Khawash and Mahendra Chhetri. The netas have previously been members of parties such as the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), and Trinamool Congress.
Under the banner of "Gorkha Unity", IGJF has established five key priorities: Demand for a separate Gorkhaland state, inclusion of 11 Gorkha communities in the Scheduled Tribe list, implementation of the Minimum Wages Act in tea gardens, addressing land rights issues, and pushing for new provisions for the region during constituency delimitation. The party anticipates establishing its formal structure within 45 days.
IGJF's establishment comes at a time of political transformation in the region. Political experts believe there's been a political void in Darjeeling, particularly as Anit Thapa's Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), allied with TMC, has remained relatively silent regarding Gorkhaland, concentrating instead on developmental matters.
Hamro Party's dissolution followed the Election Commission's recommendation to alter its name due to similarities with other parties. Edwards noted that whilst the party had previously secured control of Darjeeling municipality, it subsequently lost authority due to defections.