GNLF support to Cong need of hour: Ghisingh

DARJEELING: Gorkha National LiberationFront chief Subash Ghisingh came out openly to defend his decision to supportthe Congress candidate in Darjeeling.Referring to the “presentscenario in the country�, Ghisingh said the decision to support Congresswas taken for the “benefit of the people of Darjeeling hills�. TheGNLF chief had issued the same statement in a press note earlier that alsoreferred to the Gorkhaland demand.During Buddha Jayanti celebrationsat Chowrasta on Thursday, Ghisingh said that he had boycotted the last threeParliamentary elections because of the call of the hour.“I''veraised the issue of Gorkhaland but it should not be misinterpreted,� hesaid.After issuing leaflets in favour of Congress candidate DawaNorbula, the GNLF on Wednesday went around with loudspeakers urging residents tovote for Congress.According to political observers, when the GNLFhad called for a poll boycott in the last three elections, the anti-GNLFsupporters used to go in groups to cast their votes while the rest remained athome.At a public meeting held here at Chowk Bazar on Thursday,Darjeeling District Youth Congress and Darjeeling District Kisan Congressexpressed their gratitude to Ghisingh.However, the PDF alleged thatGhisingh decided to support Congress because it was “left with noalternative�. “This was the only for his political survival,�a PDF leader said.