Kalimpong, Oct. 2: All seems to be well — at least for now — on this side of the Teesta with the local unit of the GNLF busy celebrating the cabinet approval of the Sixth Schedule status since yesterday.
In fact, all three major players of the party in Kalimpong — unit president Dawa Pakhrin, local MLA Gaulan Lepcha and municipality chairman C.K. Kumai — went down to Bagdogra today to receive Subash Ghisingh, who is back from an official trip to Bali in Indonesia.
Observers feel the cabinet announcement has come as a boon to the GNLF leader.
“It was godsend, otherwise who knows the revolt from Darjeeling could have spilled over here as well,” said an observer. Not that the local unit of the party has betrayed any visible signs of revolt, though a section of the party rank and file are known to have become a frustrated lot.
“Used as they were to enjoying the benefits of power for close to two decades, it is but natural for GNLF leaders to be frustrated given that they have been rendered powerless for over two years now,” said the observer.
Pakhrin, however, insisted that the uncertainties of the last couple of years have in no way affected the party’s morale in the subdivision.
“We continue to repose faith in Ghisingh’s leadership,” said Pakhrin.
