The Centre prefers holding talks with Bimal Gurung, although Mamata Banerjee supports Binay Tamang
The founding member of Darjeeling's Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, Mr Bimal Gurung, who has been spearheading the fight for a separate state, was suspended by his party today for six months.
The suspension comes a day before West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee meets with hill leaders in Siliguri tomorrow.
In Delhi, in response to a petition from Bimal Gurung, the Supreme Court said no coercive action would be taken against him for two weeks, which includes no detention or arrest.
On the run from the West Bengal police with several cases against him in the last 4-5 months, Mr Gurung was suspended by the Morcha's central committee that met at Ghoom today, 20 km from Darjeeling town.
The Morcha general secretary, Roshan Giri, and at least 11 others, including Mr Gurung's wife Asha have also been suspended.
The Morcha central committee elected Mr Gurung's one-time comrade, Mr Binay Tamang, its new chief and Mr Anit Thapa general secretary.
Mr Tamang is chairman of Gorkhaland Territorial Authority (GTA), the semi-autonomous body in place since 2011 to administer the hills.
Hours after the suspension, Mr Roshan Giri said in a statement, "The suspension is illegal. They do not have any right. Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa have been already expelled from the party."
What could happen next in Darjeeling is being watched closely. Sources say the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) wrote to the West Bengal government earlier this month calling for tripartite talks. But the state government did not reply as the Chief Minister was away in London.
Analysts say Ms Banerjee's Siliguri visit and meeting with hill leaders at Pintail village tomorrow are significant. If, indeed, the tripartite talks take place, then who will represent the Morcha at the talks - whether Bimal Gurung or Binay Tamang- has been a thorny issue.
Mamata Banerjee has backed Mr Tamang fully but sources say the Centre has said Mr Gurung should come for the talks.
That conflict may be a tricky one to resolve even though Mr Gurung has been suspended from the Morcha and Binay Tamang is the Gorka Janmukti Morcha chief.