Mamata-Gurung war: On the ground, and in cyber space... BANDH EVE GJM boss’s spat with chief minister goes hi-tech

The pact states that the Gorkhaland demand is not dropped. We reiterate our demand for Gorkhaland in the light of Telangana -Bimal Gurung. 

When Darjeeling is peaceful, and, by the tripartite agreement, a poll was held, why is Delhi trying to kickstart a fresh agitation?- Mamta Banerjee.

Amitava Banerjee, HT(Kolkata), DARJEELING, 29 Jul 2013 : Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung has decided to take on chief minister Mamata Banerjee on her own turf. Going hitech — just as she has for some time now — he is launching a web page, stated a post on social networking sites. 

Justifying it, Gurung posted: “I have decided to take this new media engagement to reach the people of Gorkhaland and also Gorkhas living across India and various parts of the world. A dedicated team of social media managers will constantly translate my message and update them so that they can reach millions of Gorkhaland lovers. 

In the last 5 years, we have had a lot of criticism of the party, but many of these criticisms have come up because of miscommunication between me and our supporters. I hope this will help bridge this gap.” 

Gurung’s social media adventure has resulted in a cyber war. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, in a social media post, said: “I do not understand why the Union government is behaving in a partisan manner by calling 3-4 persons of the GTA to Delhi. The call has come from the highest office of a political party. 

When Darjeeling is peaceful and, according to the tripartite agreement (to which the Union government is a party), (an) election was held and the GTA was formed and development process is under way, why is Delhi making efforts to kickstart a fresh agitation to serve vested political interests? It is a matter of shame. 

“Telangana cannot be compared with Darjeeling. When everything is settled, why is Delhi insisting on disrupting a peaceful situation and playing with fire? It is reported that Delhi has directed the GTA persons to go in for a separatist movement. Darjeeling is a part and parcel of our state. We are united and we will remain united. Any conspiracy hatched by a political party and the Union government will be defeated by the people of Darjeeling and West Bengal. We will not allow anybody to divide and rule.” 

Gurung, on his social media site, countered, “The GJM, in good faith and keeping in mind the spirit of the agreement, agreed to accept the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.” 

“The agreement clearly stipulates that the demand for Gorkhaland is not dropped. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, to fulfill the aspirations of the Indian Gorkhas, reiterates its long-standing demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland in the light of the development of the Telangana issue,” he added. 

“For Gorkhaland, I can quit the GTA. Give me your hand and I will lead you to Gorkhaland. Be prepared for the Final Battle for Gorkhaland. Stock (up on) your resources for the 72-hour strike from tomorrow and let’s all come together for Gorkhaland. Politically, our demand may not be equated with Telangana, but, historically, socially, culturally (and) ethically, (a) similarity exists. So, if Telangana can be created, why not Gorkhaland?”