CM advises party leaders to cooperate with GTA administration

SNS, DARJEELING, 16 MAY: The Chief Minister, Miss Mamata Banerjee, today met leaders of her party from the Darjeeling Hills at Richmond Hill in Darjeeling.

The move is being interpreted bye observers as one to keep the unit ready as part of a contingency plan in view of its volatile relation with the GJMM. However, she is understood to have asked her partymen from the Hills to cooperate with the GTA administration to make the autonomy experiment a success.

“The meeting would definitely enthuse her party rank and file in the Hills at a time when several leaders and activists from the GJMM from the Hills and the Dooars are switching allegiance over to the ruling party” an observer said.

The convener of the party for the Hills, Mr Rajen Mukhia, said that the chief minister has endorsed three names proposed for the leadership involving three frontal organisations affiliated to the ruling party.

“While Mr Chewang Bhutia would lead the youth wing Nanita Gautam would lead the women affiliate. Mr C P Khatiwada would lead the student’s wing of the party,” Mr Mukhia said.

“The appointment was fixed by Mr Mukul Roy and it was earlier scheduled on 14 May. She stressed on the differences between the relations between the state government and GTA, on one hand, and those between the Trinamul Congress and the GJMM, on the other. The GTA is meant for development, she said and assured us that she is with us,” Mr Mukhia said.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to her, asking her to ensure that the funds meant for development are utilized in the right manner.

Mr Mukhia further mentioned that Miss Banerjee has asked them to found party offices in all the three sub-division of the Hills ~Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong ~ and also in Mirik.

“She said that she would inaugurate these offices after the panchayat election is over,” added Mr Mukhia.