Binay: Board to open talks door - Contradicting reactions by administrators named by govt to run hill body

TT, Calcutta, Sept. 21: Binay Tamang today described the formation of the board of administrators for the hills as "a positive step" and projected it as a gateway to tripartite talks on the sole issue of Gorkhaland.

"The formation of the board is a positive step forward as it has now opened the doors for a tripartite meeting for Gorkhaland. In spite of representing the board at the tripartite meeting, we will not talk about the powers and functions of the GTA (Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) but will press for a permanent settlement, which can be nothing but Gorkhaland," he said.

Tamang, who has been named the chairman of the board by the Mamata Banerjee government, was clearly trying to pacify the hill constituency, given the prevailing pro-statehood mood in the hills.

The dissident Morcha leader said the GTA had been accepted in 2011 as "an interim arrangement" and that the aspiration of the hill people would be fulfilled only by "a permanent settlement".

Tamang justified his decision to accept the post of the chairman of the board, saying that it was time for the hill leaders to move forward "tactfully and strategically".

"Leaders should not cause hardship to the people to achieve Gorkhaland but in this present situation, one has to move forward tactfully and strategically.... In a democratic set-up, one should not close all roads to talks," he said.

He sounded confident that the board would be invited to the tripartite talks as and when they were convened.

"Along with the board, we feel it would be better if other hill political parties are also invited to the tripartite talks," he said.

"Development is not a priority right now. Even if development work is carried out, we must never forget the statehood issue," said Tamang.

"There are allegations that we are indulging in politics of chair but we need to understand the strategies of the state and the Centre and accordingly, we must prepare our own strategy," he said.

Bimal Gurung, the Morcha president, said the veil had been ripped on the intentions of the Tamang camp.

"For over a month, I had doubts on their intention and their nomination has made it clear that they had all along, indulged in the politics of chair. The people must not forgive them," Gurung said in a video message.

Amar Lama, bureau member of the Jan Andolan Party, said the state government's decision was "regrettable" and raised questions on the success of the October 16 bipartite meeting.