Clue before Mamata trip

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, Oct. 18: The three Gorkha Janmukti Morcha MLAs in the hills will seek an appointment to meet chief minister Mamata Banerjee when she visits Darjeeling on October 24, the party said today.

Asked about the reason for the meeting, one of the MLAs cited “protocol”. But sources in the hills said the Morcha’s move could be an indication that it wants to improve ties with the state government after running out of options.

Of the three MLAs, Rohit Sharma, the legislator from Kurseong, and Trilok Dewan, the Morcha’s Darjeeling MLA, confirmed that they would meet the chief minister. The third MLA is Harka Bahadur Chhetri from Kalimpong.

Sharma said: “We will meet the chief minister during her visit to Darjeeling as protocol demands. She is the chief minister of an Assembly of which we are members.”

Asked if they would seek an appointment, Sharma said: “We have no problems in seeking an appointment to meet the chief minister.”

Sources in the hills said the Morcha felt the tripartite talks may not be held by the Centre immediately so it was best to strengthen its relations with the state government.

“With most Morcha leaders behind bars and the Centre dilly-dallying on the tripartite talks, the hill party seems to have run out of options. It needs to strengthen its party at the moment and it is obvious the present political situation would be discussed at the meeting,” said a source.

Opposition parties such as the GNLF as well as Trinamul are wooing Morcha supporters.

Sources said Subash Ghisingh, currently staying at Matigara in Siliguri subdivision, also plans to hold a public meeting in the hills. The date has not been finalised.

Giri today said the tripartite talks might be held after sometime. “We want to solve the demand of Gorkhaland through dialogue and negotiations. Talks will have to take place, and at most the dates might be changed by a day or two,” he said.

Asked about the Morcha’s need to reiterate that it wants to solve matters through talks, Giri said: “There seems to be uncertainty among the public about the situation after October 23. We want to ensure everything is solved through talks.”