Top GNLF leader joins GJMM

SNS, Darjeeling, 1 August 2014:A prominent leader of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), Tshering Dahal, who was the convener of the Terai unit of the party and the leader of the women's wing, today joined the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), a move considered a major blow to the party in the Terai region.

Some other supporters of the GNLF in the Terai also joined the GJMM today along with Ms Dahal, it is learnt.

GJMM chief Bimal Gurung has also made Miss Dahal as the convener of the Terai unit.

Ms Dahal had joined the GNLF during the 1986 statehood agitation led by the party.

"I was then a student. In between, I was away from political activities and rejoined the party later," she said.

Around three months ago, she had presided over various meetings of the GNLF when the party supremo, Subhas Ghising, had returned to Darjeeling after a long stay in the plains.

According to her, she switched over sides as the GJMM is directly communicating with the Centre and the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party. “This is the right time to voice for our ultimate demand for Gorkhaland, and for that we need to stay united, so I joined the GJMM," she said.

At Paatleybas on the outskirts of Darjeeling, GJMM chief, Mr Gurung, handed over a party flag to Ms Dahal and the other new members who joined today.

"She is a known political figure from the Terai region. We had time and again requested her to join the GJMM. Today, we are happy that she is with us, and we believe that she will ardently work for our demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland and unite the Terai region," Mr Gurung said.