GJM statehood dream turns sour

Senior Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) leaders, adamant over statehood demand are allegedly being “silenced through CBI probe” by the Centre, insiders have claimed, indicating that even the BJP does not want to carve Gorkhaland out of West Bengal.

On Friday, CBI <g data-gr-id="31">indicted</g> GJM president Bimal Gurung, along with others on the charges of criminal conspiracy for the killing of All India Gorkha League (ABGL) leader Madan Tamang on May 21, 2010.

Many feel that it was done because Gurung was pressurising central leadership to take up the issue of Gorkhaland and even hinted to withdraw support from BJP. Recently, Gurung had a “rough relationship” with BJP MP SS Ahluwalia from Darjeeling for not taking up their issue with the Centre.

<g data-gr-id="37">Situation</g> turned <g data-gr-id="38">bitter,</g> when GJM leaders met West Bengal Governor <g data-gr-id="32">Kesarinath</g> Tripathi on Friday asking for a separate statehood and later they were served with CBI notice. “It is a rude shock for us. We met Governor over separate statehood and served with a CBI notice,” GJM secretary Roshan Giri told Millennium Post over <g data-gr-id="35">telephone</g>.

When asked whether they will withdraw support from the NDA and what would be their next course of action, Giri said: “The charges against our party leaders are baseless. We will have a meeting to finalise our political stand with the Centre.”

Earlier, the BJP had opposed the Telangana but finally favoured the UPA’s decision. Later they had offered Gorkhaland “balm” to GJM - precisely with a reason to win the Darjeeling seat, which they had done in 2009 by fielding Jaswant Singh.

Now, after Ahluwalia became MP, most BJP leaders are quiet on the issue and this angered the GJM. Gorkha leaders <g data-gr-id="33">feels</g> that once again they were cheated by BJP’s “opportunist stand” and made a similar “carrot and stick” trick to secure Ahluwalia’s win with GJM’s support.

Also, it will be difficult for the party to go ahead with the Gorkhaland in <g data-gr-id="43">midst</g> of strong opposition from the West Bengal state BJP unit who are against the division of <g data-gr-id="44">state</g>. Already, the state BJP leader <g data-gr-id="42">Tathagatha</g> Ray, presently the Governor of Tripura, had said that party’s state unit is not in its favour of a separate state. “The West Bengal BJP unit is not in favour of a separate state of Gorkhaland. Yes, BJP as a party is in favour of smaller states for better development. But not in case of Darjeeling, as it has only three sub-divisions and there are other issues too,” he had said.