Hill TMC busy preparing to welcome party chief

MOHAN PRASAD

KURSEONG

21 Oct 2013

Just ahead of the chief minister’s visit to Darjeeling, Trinamool Congress activists and supporters in the hills are busy making preparations to welcome her. Supporters in Kurseong are fully engaged in the job as Mamata Banerjee will be travelling through town on Thursday to attend the public meeting in Darjeeling. Party flags have been put up along the National Highway.

TMC student leader Vipin Lama, who was among those putting up the flags here, said, “The flags are being put up to decorate the town” to welcome party chief Mamata Banerjee. Speaking about his reason to join the TMC, he said, “We have joined the TMC for all-round development of the hills. The regional party has cheated us, exploited with our sentiments and betrayed us. We cannot trust its leaders anymore.”

Lama also said although the Darjeeling hills are rich in natural resources, the region has become backward because of regional parties and leaders who are busy filling up their own pockets.

Hill TMC secretary NB Khawas said more party flags will be put up along the NH all the way to Darjeeling. Many welcome-gates will be erected at different points, he added. Khawas also claimed several members of various parties in the hills will join the TMC in Kurseong on Tuesday.

It has been learnt the chief minister is likely to visit Sukna on Tuesday evening. On October 23, she will visit Kurseong and hold a meeting with the Lepcha Development Board at St Alphonsus’ School. Later, Banerjee is also likely to meet representatives of the newly formed Darjeeling Himalayan Karmachari Sangathan, an employees’ organisation affiliated to the TMC labour union INTTUC. She might put up for the night in Kurseong or travel to Darjeeling the same day. On October 24, Bannerjee is scheduled to address a public meeting in Chowrasta for which hectic preparations are currently ongoing.