Gorkha Leader Binay Tamang Joins Congress, Citing Hope for National Change

Veteran Gorkha Politician Binay Tamang Joins Congress, Citing Signs of National Political Shift

Darjeeling, West Bengal – Veteran Gorkha politician Binay Tamang joined the Indian National Congress (INC) on Sunday, citing "indicators of change in the national political arena" as the driving force behind his decision.

At a gathering in Kalimpong, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury formally welcomed Tamang into the party, handing him the party flag in the presence of other prominent leaders. This marks Tamang's third political affiliation in recent years.

Tamang initially aligned himself with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) led by Bimal Gurung. However, in the aftermath of the 2017 Gorkhaland agitation, Tamang, along with Anit Thapa, parted ways with Gurung's faction and established their own Morcha splinter group.

Subsequently, Tamang and Thapa pursued separate paths. Thapa formed the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), which currently holds power in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). Tamang, on the other hand, joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

After a brief stint with the TMC, Tamang resigned and was seen maintaining close ties with Gurung and Ajoy Edwards, founder of the Hamro Party. In 2022, Tamang successfully contested the GTA Sabha elections as an independent candidate.

Tamang previously served as chairman of the board of administrators formed by the Mamata Banerjee government to oversee the GTA's operations following the expiration of its official term.

Upon joining the Congress, Tamang expressed his disappointment with the BJP, accusing the party of winning the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat three times on the basis of unfulfilled promises.

"The BJP has managed to secure three MPs from the hills through empty promises to the residents. Over time, we realized that these were merely empty promises. The Congress has made significant contributions to the hills and north Bengal, and there are indications of change in the national political arena. This is why I have decided to join the Congress and work for the people here," Tamang declared following his induction into the party.

Tamang's decision to join the Congress has been met with enthusiasm by senior Congress leaders in the Darjeeling district, who have acknowledged the party's lack of a prominent figure in the hills for several years.

"People across the hills are disillusioned with the BJP, and Binay Tamang is known for his sincerity. We believe his decision will strengthen the Congress's position in the district and other Gorkha-dominated regions of north Bengal," stated a Congress leader in Siliguri.