Marcus Dam
Bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir spurs Gorkhaland's statehood demand in Darjeeling Hills
More than the other new terms of engagement set by the Centre with Jammu and Kashmir it is the formation of a Union Territory (UT) for faraway Ladakh that has most animated political discourse revolving around a separate Gorkhaland state in the hills of West Bengal’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts
Gorkhaland issue: Stakes high for BJP as political restructuring in Darjeeling hills puts onus on Centre to treat decades-old sore
With the BJP having been given a clear mandate in the Darjeeling hills, the stakes for it in the region most certainly are now a notch higher, to say the least, considering that the party leads a government serving a second term at the Centre
TMC suffers double blow in Darjeeling: Outcome of LS election, Assembly bypoll underlines potency of Gorkha identity issue
If a silent majority — which had its share of discontent over Mamata's aspirations to chart a new future for Darjeeling — was awaiting a chance to speak, it may have found a voice in the recent Assembly bypoll and Lok Sabha election, in which BJP was rewarded with resounding victories.
Lok Sabha Election: From Amit Shah's NRC promise to Mamata's identity safeguard guarantee, BJP and TMC go all out to woo Gorkhas
A sub-plot not to be missed to the electoral saga unfolding in Darjeeling will be the contest between the Banerjee-backed Binay Tamang-led faction in the GJM and its rival BJP- supported Bimal Gurung camp.
Fear of arrest may have stalled Bimal Gurung's campaign, but Gorkhaland issue is back to reshape poll discourse in Darjeeling
The outcome of the electoral contest for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat will go a long way in determining the political future in the hills which has been framed by the Gorkhaland issue for more than three decades
Tough contest on cards for Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat as BJP faces Gorkha community's ire, TMC hopes to cash in
The Trinamool Congress has never won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, but hopes to cash in this time around on the altered political narrative.
Mamata Banerjee pulls out all stops to ensure BJP loses Darjeeling seat: Binay Tamang's alliance admission puts wings in TMC chief's sails
Having thundered at a "United India" rally she had organised of 23 Opposition parties in Kolkata, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has pulled out all stops to ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is defeated in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha, which with its own distinctive political dynamics, has become a fight for prestige for her.
Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, GJM chief Binay Tamang ups ante; seeks more recognition and power for Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
Whether or not Binay Tamang's proximity with Mamata Banerjee could coalesce into an electoral alliance of the GJM and her Trinamool Congress in the coming parliamentary polls is the question doing the rounds in local political circles.
Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls, uneasy calm over West Bengal hill districts as Mamata Banerjee, BJP up the ante
Calm has certainly returned to the hills but underlying it all swirl questions of the political future of the region as it negotiates the roadblocks ahead.
Mamata Banerjee's proposal to rename West Bengal 'Bangla' may stir hornet's nest in the Darjeeling, Kalimpong hills
The West Bengal government needs to walk the extra distance towards assuaging any anxieties that its move to rename the state as ‘Bangla’ might have caused.
With singing competition 'Darjeeling Rising Stars', police hopes to regain residents' faith after Gorkha stir last year
The local police organised 'Darjeeling Rising Stars' as part of a venture to rebuild people's confidence in the force after the Gorkhaland protests last year.
Bimal Gurung denies seeking meet with Mamata, intention to surrender in audio clip as Binay Tamang makes development pitch
Political discourse in West Bengal’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong has suddenly turned febrile with an audio clip of fugitive Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung emanating from an undisclosed location.
SC order dismissing GJM leader Bimal Gurung's plea seeking protection from arrest could alter political calculus in hills
The Supreme Court has dismissed GJM leader Bimal Gurung’s petitions seeking protection from arrest. The ruling could alter the local political calculus.
Mamata Banerjee in Darjeeling: West Bengal CM warns Centre not to assist anyone 'bent on sundering region'
Making a strong pitch In Darjeeling for peace in the Hills, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged the Centre on Tuesday “not to assist anyone” bent on sundering the region “into tiny bits” for minor electoral gain.
Sikkim fomenting unrest in Darjeeling for its benefit, claims Mamata Banerjee; vows to arrange 'industrial meet' in Hills
In what could reopen old wounds over the political situation in the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused Sikkim of trying to foment trouble in the region.
Mamata Banerjee sidesteps demand for separate Gorkhaland, hints at revised arrangement for region
Obliquely rejecting, yet again, the demand for a separate 'Gorkhaland', West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hinted on Tuesday of the possibility of a new administrative arrangement for the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
Bimal Gurung's 'olive branch' fails to cut ice with Mamata Banerjee govt; deadlock likely to continue
The West Bengal government's response to an olive branch extended by GJM leader Bimal Gurung has been somewhat laconic and dismissive.
Mamata Banerjee skips Darjeeling hills visit twice in fortnight; for her, discretion is better part of valour
Mamata Banerjee chose not to visit the hills of Darjeeling, Kalimpong for the second time after skipping a tourism festival within the past fortnight.
Mamata Banerjee skips tourism festival in Darjeeling; is 'normalcy' in the hills a mere eyewash?
While the proposed industry meet has been deferred to February 2018 the question driving political discourse in the hills now is what might have prompted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision not to turn up for the start of the tourism festival.
Gorkhaland agitation: Amid Mamata Banerjee and Bimal Gurung's political battle, Darjeeling gears up for tourism, business festival
The wintry air is crisp in the Hills of West Bengal’s Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts but the haze of uncertainty is yet to clear from the political landscape. And it is in such surroundings that the local ruling dispensation, prodded on by the West Bengal government that has set it up, is taking recourse to staging a tourism festival as well as a first-time business meet there, both of which will not only be showcasing the region’s potentials as a destination for holiday-makers and investors alike but also, perhaps more critically, its claims of success in restoring normality after months of political turmoil sparked by a 104-day-long lock down to press for a separate “Gorkhaland” state.