Gorkhaland: Parties adopt resolution for joint movement

Five political parties including the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, BJP and the Gorkha National Liberation Front along with an apolitical organisation signed a resolution for a collective movement for Gorkhaland in an all-party meeting in Darjeeling on Tuesday.

Following a near 3-hour-long meet, Roshan Giri, general secretary, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, addressing media persons stated: "We have adopted a resolution for a collective movement for Gorkhaland and have demanded that the Union government initiate steps for the creation of the separate state. We are united on the Gorkhaland issue."

The all-party meeting also demanded that the Chief Minister make her stand clear on the three-language policy of the state government.

Interestingly the GNLF, an ally of the TMC, was present in the meeting and came out in support of the Gorkhaland demand but have pledged conditional support to the GJM. Neeraj Zimba, spokesperson, GNLF, stated: "The GNLF is a forerunner of the Gorkhaland movement. The term Gorkhaland was coined by our Late president Subash Ghising. Later, we had demanded the upgradation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and that 6th Scheduled status be granted to the Darjeeling Hills.

"Our earlier demand for the 6th Schedule status has now become redundant." Incidentally in 2007 end, the GJM had seized power from the GNLF ousting Ghising. "We have, however, kept five conditions for supporting the GJM. They have to unilaterally withdraw from the GTA. The Morcha have to withdraw the party's three MLAs from the Bengal Assembly. All the GJM Municipal councilors of the four Hill Municipalities have to resign. The Morcha will not settle for anything less than a separate state. Decisions, action and programmes have to be collective," stated Zimba. He further stated: "We had an electoral alliance with the TMC. It is time we reconsider. With the BJP in the Centre, the time is most conducive for Gorkhaland."

Interestingly, Suman Sharma, Assistant Secretary, BJP Hill District Committee signed on the resolution for Gorkhaland adopted in the all party meeting. Distancing himself from the issue, Rahul Sinha, BJP national secretary and former West Bengal state BJP president said: "We are against the division of Bengal. I do not know what went on in the Darjeeling meeting."