In a jolt to the BJP, its ally Gorkha Janamukti Morcha has decided to extend unconditional support to Trinamul Congress and Congress candidates in the Terai and Dooars in north Bengal in the assembly elections with Trinamul saying the decision is “totally uncalled for”.
“Our vision is clear. We are in favour of a change and want to see Left Front candidates lose. We have therefore extended our support unconditionally to the Trinamul Congress and Congress candidates,” GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said on Friday.
Though the development lifted weeks of suspense on GJM’s political stand for the upcoming polls, it drew sharp reaction from ally BJP which described the decision as “unfortunate”.
“As per the discussions with them we have left four seats — including Darjeeling, Kurseong and Kalimpong — to GJM in return for support to us in six seats in the plains, but GJM’s decision is unfortunate,” state BJP president Rahul Sinha said.
“We have informed the party’s central leadership,” Mr Sinha said. “The GJM’s decision is totally uncalled for as there were no prior talks between the two parties in this regard,” Trinamul Congress all-India general secretary Mukul Roy said. — PTI