Gorkhaland not in BJP manifesto

Deep Gazmer, TNN | Apr 8, 2014: DARJEELING: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM)-backed BJP candidate S S Ahluwalia had a pressing time explaining the party's election manifesto, released in Delhi on Monday, with no mention of creation of a Gorkha state, to its ally and the public in the Hills.

On the sidelines of a public meeting in Sonada, the BJP candidate said, "In our 2009 election manifesto, we had mentioned the long-pending demands of Gorkhas, Adivasis and other people of Darjeeling and Dooars regions, which stand valid in this year's election, too. I have spoken to my party in Delhi. An addendum will follow soon."

In 2009, the BJP's poll manifesto said: "The BJP will sympathetically examine and appropriately consider the long-pending demands of Gorkhas, Adivasis and other people of Darjeeling and Dooars." Ahluwalia added, "In this year's manifesto under the regional aspiration heading, it is written that the BJP is in favour of smaller states."

GJM president Bimal Gurung, who had accompanied Ahluwalia to the Sonada meet, refused to speak on the issue. However, party general secretary Roshan Giri said that the matter had been taken up with BJP leaders in Delhi. He was optimistic that BJP would amend its manifesto. "See, there is mention of our issue under the regional aspiration chapter of the BJP's manifesto. But we want specific mention," said Giri.

Independent candidate Mahendra P Lama said the manifesto was not very emphatic towards the Gorkhaland demand.