'Gorkhaland issue making progress'

Deep Gazmer,TNN | May 6, 2014: DARJEELING: Jaswant Singh, the sitting MP from Darjeeling, expressed satisfaction over the Gorkhaland issue, which according to him, is making a progress even though it has not been endorsed by the Bengal government. Speaking to reporters in Darjeeling on Monday, the expelled BJP leader said:

"Five years have passed at a blink of the eye. But, I am happy that the Gorkhaland issue has made immense progress. This, in spite of the fact that the Bengal government is opposed to division," Singh said.

SNS: Sitting Lok Sabha MP from Darjeeling, Jaswant Singh, today expressed satisfaction over what he called the “progress in the Gorkhaland demand” and said he will extend any kind of help as required from him. The former BJP leader and the BJP candidate the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha had supported in the last Lok Sabha election in the Hills today met leaders of the GJMM.

A GJMM delegation led by its general secretary Roshan Giri went to meet Mr Singh, who arrived in Darjeeling yesterday, at a hotel here.

"Five years seem to have gone by in a snap of the fingers. I am happy to know that the Gorkhaland demand has made progress. I will extend any help that is required from me," he said after the meeting.

Hinting at some work that requires to be done in Darjeeling, he said: "Darjeeling still needs proper medical facilities, the drinking water problem is unresolved, and the world heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway lines that are broken between Kurseong and Siliguri should be fixed."

Mr Singh further said he will keep visiting Darjeeling even if he wins this election from the Bahamer constituency from where he is contesting as an independent candidate.

The GJMM delegation included Jyoti Rai, Pradip Pradhan and Amar Singh Rai. "The relations with Mr Jaswant Singh were good during the last five-year tenure. We are happy that he has further expressed his willingness to help us in times of need," Mr Giri said.