GNLF central committee

Subash Ghisingh

TT, Jalpaiguri, March 24: The GNLF today claimed it had cobbled together a central committee here with members from the hills, reviving it after nearly five years.

A GNLF central committee member who did not wish to be named also said that the Subash Ghisingh-led party had set up 700 village committees in the three hill subdivisions.

“There is no denying that the central committee of our party had disintegrated since 2007-08. We formed the 18-member central committee (in January), the members are from the hills and are working silently,” a central committee member said.

“Hundreds of people, who had rejected us and joined the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha expressing eagerness to return and struggle for a Sixth Schedule status for the hills, a demand raised by our chief six-seven years ago.”

Around 200 Morcha supporters joined the GNLF recently. “We intend to celebrate our foundation day on April 5 by convening a central meeting in the hills,” said the GNLF leader. Sources said Ghisingh was holding regular talks with party workers.

“Our party will campaign for the Sixth Schedule and other demands raised by our chief. We will also highlight the lapses of the Morcha and the abysmal performance of the GTA,” said another GNLF leader.

The party said it had formed 350 village committees in the Kalimpong subdivision. “These comprise workers and leaders who were with us till 2007-08, joined the Morcha and rejoined GNLF in the past two-three months. Also, 350-odd village committees have been formed in Darjeeling and Kurseong subdivisions. We intend to develop our base from the grassroots,” said a leader.

“Thousands want to return to GNLF. A substantial number of Morcha supporters will join us on April 5, when our foundation day will be celebrated by each village committees,” said a source.