DARJEELING/SILIGURI, 29 MAY: After being invited by the new chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee, the president of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), Mr Bimal Gurung, along with two members of its Study Forum, Mr LB Pariyar and Mr P Arjun, today arrived in Kolkata to attend a two-way talks with the state government in Kolkata tomorrow. Notably, the GJMM had refrained from holding two-way talks on the Hills problem with the Left Front government since 2009.
Though the GJMM leaders have termed tomorrow's meeting as a “courtesy call”, speculation is rife that Miss Banerjee may offer something to the GJMM after she herself called upon Mr Gurung to come down to Kolkata.
Speaking to reporters at Bagdogra, Mr Gurung, said: “Though Gorkhaland is our main demand we are not in a hurry to obtain it. We have faith in the new CM.”
“We are going to Kolkata just to congratulate her and have decided to give her some time to settle down and work on the development of the state and Hills.”
Political observers said that the GJMM would adjust with the present Central and state governments to obtain autonomy, including a special package for the development of the Hills, which was decided at the last meeting in New Delhi on 25 January. On the other hand, speaking on the Gorkhaland issue, the GJMM media secretary, Mr HB Chettri, newly-elected MLA from Kalimpong, has expressed his faith in the new government, stating that there would be no compromise on the separate state issue and they would welcome any talks that will pave the way for Gorkhaland. While Miss Banerjee has announced that she will solve the longstanding problems in the Hills within three months, it is also well-known that the CM is against the division of Bengal, political observers believe reorganisation of the autonomous hill council in terms of the financial and legislative powers may be on the cards for the GJMM. sns
Though the GJMM leaders have termed tomorrow's meeting as a “courtesy call”, speculation is rife that Miss Banerjee may offer something to the GJMM after she herself called upon Mr Gurung to come down to Kolkata.
Speaking to reporters at Bagdogra, Mr Gurung, said: “Though Gorkhaland is our main demand we are not in a hurry to obtain it. We have faith in the new CM.”
“We are going to Kolkata just to congratulate her and have decided to give her some time to settle down and work on the development of the state and Hills.”
Political observers said that the GJMM would adjust with the present Central and state governments to obtain autonomy, including a special package for the development of the Hills, which was decided at the last meeting in New Delhi on 25 January. On the other hand, speaking on the Gorkhaland issue, the GJMM media secretary, Mr HB Chettri, newly-elected MLA from Kalimpong, has expressed his faith in the new government, stating that there would be no compromise on the separate state issue and they would welcome any talks that will pave the way for Gorkhaland. While Miss Banerjee has announced that she will solve the longstanding problems in the Hills within three months, it is also well-known that the CM is against the division of Bengal, political observers believe reorganisation of the autonomous hill council in terms of the financial and legislative powers may be on the cards for the GJMM. sns
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