GJMM MLA to retire from politics

SNS, Siliguri, 28 November 2013: Having lost faith in the state government and after ‘failing’ to serve his party, Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri, says he is disappointed and wants to retire from Hills politics.

Mr Chhetri also wants to return to his earlier profession as a schoolteacher in the Hills and has decided to continue with his earlier job.

Mr Chhetri, also the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha’s spokesperson, took the decision yesterday and sought permission from party president Bimal Gurung so that he can tender his resignation to the Speaker of the state Assembly.

Mr Gurung called up Mr Chhetri yesterday to ask about the state government’s stance on releasing key party leaders even as the state police allegedly framed new cases against seven GJMM leaders, including Mr Binay Tamang, yesterday after they were granted bail pleas in the old cases in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling.

Mr Chhetri said: “I will retire from politics. I will go back to my old profession. I was a school teacher.“Teaching is the best and most peaceful profession. I have been disappointed in politics. I have failed to serve my party as well. I feel unhappy with the state government’s role and Hills politics,” he said.

“I have sought permission from my party president Mr Bimal Gurung. He has asked me to return to Darjeeling to discuss my plea,” Mr Chhetri said over phone from Kolkata. 

When asked whether he would join the Trinamul and contest the general elections from Darjeeling for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Mr Chhetri said: “It is impossible. I will retire from politics.” 

“Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had assured us that our jailed party leaders would be released soon. Despite her assurance, the state police have framed new cases against the leaders to keep them behind bars. 'So, the party leadership is being maligned and humiliated. People have started saying we are deceiving them,” he said. 

Several GJMM leaders, GTA members and more than 1,100 activists were arrested during the Gorkhaland agitation since July this year.