Parishad to felicitate Mamata

AVIJIT SINHA, Siliguri, 25 Dec 2013: Birsa Tirkey, the president of Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad, today said the outfit would felicitate Mamata Banerjee in February in the first indication that it had tilted towards Trinamul months before the Lok Sabha elections. 

“Mamata Banerjee and her government have taken two historic decisions which would largely help tribals. 

First, the government formed the Tribal Advisory Council. Second, a separate tribal welfare department was formed. We consider these two decisions of paramount significance and have decided to felicitate her on behalf of the tribal population,” 

Tirkey said. Mamata is scheduled to address a public meeting on February 25 in Nagrakata, 75km from Siliguri. “We also appreciate the strict stance of the state government on the Gorkhaland issue,” Tirkey said. 

During the February 25 event, Parishad leaders would also announce that they have reunited. Trinamul leaders in Jalpaiguri district are pleased. 

“Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar parliament seats have substantial tribal population. Now that the Parishad is recognising our chief minister for her contribution and plans to resolve all their inner disputes, prospects are surely brighter for us (for the Lok Sabha elections),” a Trinamul leader said.