GJMM takes up statehood issue with Congress leaders

SNS, Darjeeling, 22 July 2013: Stepping up the statehood momentum in the Darjeeling with the Centre remaining engaged in dialogue over the Telangana issue, the GJMM delegation led by the party’s general secretary, Roshan Giri met the senior Congress leader, Ambika Soni in Delhi today. Meanwhile, the youth and the student wings of the GJMM have embarked upon a fresh movement in support of Gorkhaland. They are also pressing the party to quit the GTA to add impetus to the movement for a separate statehood. 

“Today we met Ms Soni. She has assured us that her party will consider Gorkhaland while deciding on Telangana,” said Mr Giri.

"The delegation has already met senior AICC leaders, Digvijaya Singh and Ajay Maken. They are expected to meet P Chidambaram on 23 July. We are also trying to approach the Union home minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde,” a senior GJMM leader and a member of the delegation said.

The GJMM wrote to all the 42 members of the Congress Working Committee, asking them to take up Gorkhaland while 

discussing Telangana.  “The Andhra Pradesh Assembly has not adopted any resolution on Telengana. Yet, the Centre is keen to create a separate state. We request them to take a similar stand on the demand for Gorkhaland. 

Politically, our demand may not be equated with Telangana. But historically, socially, culturally and ethically, we are different from the rest of Bengal. So if Telangana can be created then why not Gorkhaland? 

On 29 March 2011, the Sikkim Legislative Assembly passed a resolution supporting a separate state of Gorkhaland,” Mr Giri said earlier. “We feel there will be trouble in the Darjeeling Hills if Telangana is carved out. We do not want this and that is why we think the Centre must consider our demand,” he added.