STATEHOOD DEMAND GJM delegation meets Ramesh, Chidambaram

EOI, KURSEONG, 6 Aug 2013: The trend of meeting ministers and leaders at the centre by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha delegate continues since the team reached the national capital on August 2. 

The delegation today met Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram. GJM general secretary Roshan Giri informed over phone from Delhi they have stressed on the necessity of a separate state of Gorkhaland as the GTA has become a complete failure due to the state government’s frequent interventions in its operations. He said the Darjeeling Hills had been given the DGHC as an autonomous body in 1988, but it too had failed to fulfill even the basic needs of the people. 

Giri noted that after several years of agitation, the GJM had signed the GTA pact for a temporary period just to pursue development and on condition the demand for statehood would not be dropped. The central government had then convinced the GJM to accept the GTA as a temporary arrangement as it was not in a position to create a new state. 

But with the centre announcing the formation of Telengana, the creation of Gorkhaland should also be taken into consideration, stressed the GJM leader. 

Giri further said Jairam Ramesh and P Chidambaram have assured the delegation to put the matter before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when they meet him.