Post Cabinet Rejig, BJP MLA From Darjeeling Urges PM To Consider Gorkha MP For Ministerial Berth

Neeraj Tamang Zimba, who has been elected to the State Assembly from Darjeeling, expressed his concerns to Modi in shape of a 2-page long letter.

BJP MLA of Darjeeling Neeraj Tamang Zimba. (Image: Twitter/@NeerajZimba)

Kolkata: The aftermath of PM Narendra Modi's cabinet expansion was dramatic in BJP West Bengal. The dust had not settled on the issue when BJP MLA of Darjeeling Neeraj Tamang Zimba penned a letter to the PM asking him to consider Gorkha BJP MP, Raju Bista for a ministerial seat in his cabinet. He wrote that Bista's absence in the cabinet has intensified bitterness amongst the Gorkha community.

Neeraj Tamang Zimba, who has been elected to the State Assembly from Darjeeling, expressed his concerns to Modi in shape of a 2-page long letter. He wrote, "I share my concerns with you, not just as an MLA from West Bengal, but also as the voice of the people from North Bengal."  He said, "The people of Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars who have wanted to see our dynamic and dedicated MP, Shri Raju Bista Ji also been inducted in the Cabinet Expansion as a Cabinet Minister" were in for a disappointment after Bista's exclusion from BJP's list of consideration.

Post Modi's Cabinet reshuffle, the party's Bengal wing had exploded with internal strifes. Former MoS Babul Supriyo, who expressed his sadness on Facebook for being "asked to resign" became the subject of a bitter reaction from State Party President, Dilip Ghosh. Resignation of other prominent party names like Debasree Chaudhuri and Saumitra Khan, stirred controversies and turned one group of party workers against the other.

Although Zimba congratulated Modi on his Cabinet reshuffling, his latest letter adds him on to the list of dissatisfied party workers in the state.

Strengthening his claim for Bista, Zimba wrote about the latter's contribution to the party performance in North Bengal. He wrote, "Shri Raju Bista Ji has been instrumental in the party's growth in North Bengal region and has worked selflessly and relentlessly to galvanize support across the region during the recent West Bengal Assembly Elections." Zimba also added that it was Bista whose efforts brought 100% results in the Darjeeling district, delivered 5 out of 5 seats in the region and that influenced Gorkha voters in about 10 seats.

Zimba praised Bista's "hardwork and dedication" and said that his efforts "cannot be disregarded" or "recognition (seized) away from him".

While adding that the people of Darjeeling had "fully trusted the BJP" despite "no substantial steps" taken "towards fulfilling the commitments made towards the region", Zimba took a sharp dig at the Central leadership of the Party.

Zimba's letter contained enough grievances against the party leadership whose promises, he alleged, was "lost in the quagmire of bureaucracy, due to the lack of a political will." Among the mentioned issues were promises of a Central University in Darjeeling, inclusion of 11 omitted Gorkha communities, and fulfillment of the Sankalpa Patra.

After mentioning that demands of the region were always met with "stoic silence", Zimba upholded that the absence of a representative of the region, like Bista, has "agitated the people and has proven the lack of seriousness from the Government regarding the issues concerning the Gorkha community and the region of Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars."

According to Zimba, leaving out a "deserving candidate" like Bista has not only demotivated the party workers but the entire Indian Gorkha Community, who now "feel that BJP is never serious about the Gorkhas and their issues."

Hoping to see a silver lining on the raincloud, Zimba mentioned that Bista's "historical" induction "as the First Indian Gorkha to become a Union Minister" would "have won hearts and reaffirmed the trust people have in the party" and thereby, pleaded Modi for a "kind consideration".