Ahluwalia small player in helping achieve Gorkhaland: HB Chhetri

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, Siliguri, 24 May 2014: Kalimpong MLA and GJM spokesperson Dr. Harka Bahadur Chhetri has said if the BJP fails to fulfill the aspirations of the people again and lie to the voters, the saffron front will get no more opportunity to enter the political arena of Darjeeling as a player next time.

Speaking to the EOI in a recent interaction, Chhetri said Darjeeling MP SS Ahluwalia is just a small player in achieving a separate state of Gorkhaland and the main discussions should be held with BJP chief Rajnath Singh and prime minister-designate Narendra Modi with the GJM leadership knocking at their doors in Delhi on When asked if he believes a state of Gorkhaland would be finally created this time, Chhetri answered, “Seeing the overall current situation, it is the most ideal to doggedly pursue the statehood issue as the candidate whom we supported as the MP from our region has won and his party has also succeeded in forming the government at the Centre, which has always been in favour of creating smaller states.”

At the same time though, the GJM leader noted that just by making statements in newspapers does not mean the hill people’s dreams will get fulfilled and everything will depend on the overall policy of the BJP, on its stance towards Darjeeling.

Chhetri said, “If the BJP makes false promises to Darjeeling, it will mean the party is just putting up a show when it comes to issues of other regions in the country. But to make our dreams come true, the GJM must also make a proper move. We also have a vital role to play, they (the BJP) have provided us with a fertile field to sow our dreams into and it is our party’s responsibility now to decide what it wants to reap. It all depends upon the GJM leadership as to whether it will plant an orchid or a cactus plant.”

When asked about the GNLF’s existence in the hills, Chhetri noted it is necessary for that party to remain as a strong opposition like the CPRM as this will be beneficial to the ruling party, but the GJM leadership must be disciplined, educated, and possess in-depth knowledge about the functioning and the goings-on in the state assembly and Parliament.

The MLA concluded by saying, “Jaba samma baliyo opposition hudaina tabasamma ruling party ka neta haruko beuwara sudridaina”. (Unless there is the existence of a strong opposition, the behavior of ruling party leaders will not improve).