GJMM wants its MLAs to sit in Oppn

SNS, Kolkata, 20 August 2013: Maintaining that their rupture with the ruling Trinamul Congress is final, the GJMM leadership has asked Mr Harka Bahadur Chhetri, MLA from Kalimpong, to ask the Speaker of the state Assembly to enable the party’s three MLAs to sit in the Opposition benches in the House. 

The decision was taken after the Speaker, Mr Biman Banerjee, had refused to accept the letter sent by the GJMM general secretary, Mr Roshan Giri, a few days ago to change the seating arrangement for the MLAs. He is said to have cited the reason of the letter having been sent by a political party. 

Mr Chhetri said he would serve the letter once the party asks him to do so. When contacted, Mr Giri said: “We have already asked Mr Chhetri to serve the letter to the Speaker, clarifying the party’s stance on the matter.” 

On the other hand, the GJMM is still dithering over whether they would zero in on an elected or a nominated member to fill the vacancy caused by party chief and chief executive Mr Bimal Gurung’s resignation as the chief of the GTA. 

The party initially decided to select a nominated member for the post. But things are uncertain now whether they would stick to the decision with the state government having expressed reservation over a nominated member being elevated to the highest post of the autonomous body. 

Asked to comment, Mr Giri declined, saying that the party has not taken a final call yet. Notably, the principal secretary is supposed to issue notification at least 10 days before the date of election. 

According to the rule book, he would inform all the GTA members through registered posts to attend the meeting to elect the next chief at least 72 hours before the date the election is scheduled on.