CM trip triggers state call ‘Gorkhaland ultimate aim’

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, Sept. 4: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung today retaliated to Mamata Banerjee’s perceived efforts to erode the authority of the GTA Sabha by giving a renewed call for a separate Gorkhaland after a period of at least one year.

During her three-day visit to Kalimpong which ended today, Mamata had announced a “mini” chief minister’s office would be set up in Darjeeling and a committee that would comprise the district magistrate and others would be formed to preserve mountain streams in the hills under the 100-day work scheme.

The Morcha feels the announcements would lead to “dual administration” in the hills and erode the powers of the GTA.

In a public statement, Gurung said: “The GTA is not the ultimate goal of the Morcha. Gorkhaland is my ultimate aim and my dream. This dream and goal will soon be fulfilled. The foundation of Gorkhaland has already been laid. We will soon be celebrating Gorkhaland. For this to happen we need to move forward unitedly.”

In the statement written in Nepali, the GTA chief executive said: “If this (accepting the GTA) was the need of the hour, we will use the GTA as a ladder and we will once again come forward to agitate for our land.”

In an emotional appeal, Gurung also said: “This land has been made fertile by the sweat and blood of our martyrs and ancestors. This land is a thousand times more important to us than any chair or power. Our land and our community cannot be compared to any political chair or power.”

Morcha leaders said Gurung had not made such a fervent appeal for statehood ever since a strike had been enforced from July 29 to September 10 last year.

“In the last one year, the mood of our party chief has been very conciliatory,” a Morcha leader said.

“The chief minister’s actions of trying to encroach on the authority of the GTA has clearly angered and hurt our leader. It is clear that today’s appeal for Gorkhaland is a strong reaction to what the chief minister has announced.”

The Morcha leader said the chief minister had been provocative during her hill trip.

“Mamata’s announcements in the hills prompted Gurung to issue the statement. She had even announced some tourism projects for the hills although tourism is a department transferred to the GTA. This was an insult and provocation for those who had fought hard for the GTA,” said a Morcha leader.

“It is not surprising that Bimal Gurung has reacted so strongly and revived the call for Gorkhaland. Let us see what happens in future,” he added.

Alluding to some Morcha leaders who are perceived to be “hobnobbing” with the state government, Gurung said today: “We are continuously fighting for freedom and to rightfully gain respect across India. But, these days, I am saddened to find that many of us are betraying our land and our cause for power and incentives.”

Sources in the Morcha claimed that Gurung, who did not meet Mamata Banerjee during her visit to Kalimpong, was trying to send an indirect message to a leader of the Morcha, who the party perceives went out of his way “to be close” to Mamata.

The chief minister returned from North Bengal today.