The BJPs decision to field senior leader Jaswant Singh from Darjeeling with the support of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has led the CPI (M) to approach the Election Commission on Tuesday,complaining that the GJM is intimidating and unleashing violence against its cadre. The CPI (M) later asked the BJP to explain why it chose to align with an outfit that is ought to disturb the unity of the country. Senior CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that GJM chief Bimal Gurung who had openly said that his outfit would not allow any political party,including the BJP,to campaign in Darjeeling had now changed his stand and was talking about rolling out a red carpet for Jaswant Singh. The BJP,which talks so much about the unity and integrity of the country,has aligned with an outfit that is out to disturb the unity of the country. The BJP should explain what deal it has struck with the GJM. What has it offered or what compromises has it made? Yechury said. Yechury,along with CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu and MP Saman Pathak,met Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S Y Qureishi and submitted a memorandum expressing their apprehension that it might not be possible to hold counting of votes in a normal and peaceful atmosphere in Darjeeling. The delegation gave several instances in which its activists,as well as party candidate Jibesh Sarkar,were not allowed to campaign in various parts of the constituency due to the terror unleashed by GJM. It also handed over a CD that contained a speech of Gurung in which he allegedly intimidated Tibetans and Muslims. The GJM was also not allowing BJPs earlier candidate Dawa Sherpa to campaign as the state BJP unit was opposed to the demand for a separate Gorkhaland. But within two days after Singhs name was announced,the situation has changed. The GJM now is spreading the red carpet for Singh, Yechury added.
