DARJEELING,: Prominent hill leader Binoy Tamang, also the West Bengal Congress general secretary, announced his support to BJP Lok Sabha candidate Raju Bista on Tuesday.
Though Tamang maintained that his support was in an individual capacity, he was swiftly expelled by the Indian National Congress (INC) the same day for anti-party activities for a period of six years.
In a press statement, Tamang said: “I extend my support to the BJP candidate from Darjeeling constituency Raju Bista for the constitutional security and justice for the people of Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri Terai and Dooars.”
Tamang has been of late vocal against the INC’s choice for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, Munish Tamang. He was not in favour of supporting Munish Tamang as the candidate was selected without taking the Congress leaders of the hills into confidence. He had also alleged that some leaders had misguided the party’s higher leadership in choosing Munish.
“I humbly request the people of Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri and Terai, my associates, supporters, well-wishers, friends, relatives, and families to cast their votes to Bista in the symbol of lotus flower,” said Tamang.
Explaining why people need to vote for the BJP, Tamang said: “In this 2024 general election, the BJP government is sure to come at the Centre with a strong possibility of them also coming in the assembly of West Bengal in 2026. It is not appropriate and wise to go against the party that comes in power at the Centre and the State.”
Tamang added that he could not lead the people to the wrong path and if anyone was trying to bring them to the wrong path, it was his moral duty to save them.
“I have taken this decision independently after deep thought and realisation on all the issues, considering the policy in principle as paramount. No one has interfered with me to make this decision, nor am I in contact with anyone,” Tamang said while adding that people should vote for Bista to eliminate corruption, nepotism and lead the path for constitutional justice in this area.
Tamang added that even in an individual capacity, he had a good number of supporters with whom he had also held a meeting recently and it would be an added advantage to the BJP in the polls.
Later in the evening, Tamang was expelled from the INC for six years for anti-party activities with the notification issued by the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee maintaining that the expulsion came to force immediately.
In response, Tamang said: “It would have been a matter of concern if I had been ousted by my Gorkhas. It does not matter that the Congress party expelled me. My expulsion from the Congress is a victory for the Gorkhas, people of Darjeeling Hills, Siliguri Terai and Dooars and a defeat for the Congress.”