Won’t allow division to creep in: Bimal Gurung

Prashan Acharya, EOI, Siliguri, 24 January 2014: GJM president and GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung today asserted there would be no division between the communities of Darjeeling as long as he is around in the hills and they will all remain united.
His comment came when asked about the hill communities demanding separate developmental boards including tribal status.
While laying the foundation stone for the Sukna Model Higher Secondary School here, Gurung said, “No divisive force can separate us, the development boards are for the welfare of the communities, and I also have urged chief minister Mamata Banerjee to accord tribal status to all the communities of the hills, Dooars and Terai.”
According to the GTA chief, provision of separate development boards to communities such as the Tamangs, Lepchas and Gurungs will not disrupt peace and unity between the hill people, but would instead help each community to prosper.
Further, Gurung revealed he had had a confidential meeting with the chief minister at Richmond Hall regarding the development of the GTA with support from the state government.
He said Banerjee has promised to support the GTA by initiating a number of development projects with help from the central government.
“There is no other way for the development of the GTA without support from the state and the central governments,” said Gurung.
When asked about the upcoming parliamentary election and whether he had any discussion with Banerjee on this, the GJM president said, “A decision will be made on February 5 when all block level representatives meet in Darjeeling and table their views on whether the GJM is to field its own candidate or support another party.”
He also claimed that the present situation hints at the GJM easily winning the election if it fields its own candidate.
Turning to the GTA, Gurung said the council will focus on developing the hills with active cooperation from both the state and central governments.
“We have lined up various projects that will be implemented soon and the GTA has plans to construct 25 similar model schools in GTA areas in the near future,” concluded the GTA chief.