Post Telangana turmoil, Chettri pitches for caution on demand for Gorkhaland

SNS, Kurseong, 16 October: Kalimpong MLA and GJMM spokesperson, Harka Bahadur Chettri has pitched for caution regarding the demand for Gorkhaland in view of the protracted turmoil plaguing Andhra Pradesh in post Telangana concession period. 

“We should imbibe lessons from what has been happening in the southern state in the aftermath of the Centre having taken initiative to divide the state. 

We must not raise the demand for Gorkhaland casually as it is easy to conjure up the state. The challenges lying ahead of us are formidable and the situation has been further compounded with Andhra Pradesh remaining inflamed over the issue of Telangana,” he said. 

The statement of Mr Chhetri has assumed importance in view of the GJMM remaining trapped in the dichotomy between Gorkhaland and GTA. 

While a section within the party is not for burning boats with the state government by discarding the GTA altogether, given the Centre’s unwillingness to anger the state government on the sensitive issue, another section is of the view that there is no other alternative before them but to get out of the GTA to keep the party’s reputation as a crusader for the honour and aspiration of the people unscathed. 

Mr Chhetri’s stance might impart a new spin to the continuing tug-of-war between two factions working at cross-purposes, said an observer. 

“Telengana region under the Congress rule has 12 Lok Sabha seats and 119 MLAs. 

Yet it is proving difficult for the Congress to act on its promise. Thus it is no surprise that our demand for Gorkhaland that has only one MP is being cold-shouldered,” he said. 

Speaking of the GTA, he said the GJMM should not abandon the GTA in the present political scenario in the state as well as in the country. 

“The GTA might prove to be the penultimate step towards the consummation if we can exercise restraint and circumspection at these volatile crossroads,” he said.