GJM on the offensive in Darjeeling... Demand for Gorkhaland state very much alive: Gurung

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, MIRIK, 8 Jan 2015: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief executive Bimal Gurung on Thursday said his party has not dropped the Gorkhaland statehood demand … but “we are taking it to Delhi instead as we do not want to disrupt the tourism industry of our place”. He was speaking during the foundation laying ceremony for developing the Manju Tourism Spot (Phase II).

Taking to the press later, Gurung asserted that a Gorkhaland state is not very far ahead and the state government will have no say in the matter unlike that for Telangana. He said he has full faith on Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the statehood cause, adding “a day will come when everyone will realise my contributions to the statehood cause”.

According to the GJM chief, the state government is playing a delaying tactic to postpone the scheduled tripartite meeting between the Centre, state and the GJM on the statehood issue, but his party is confident of achieving the “ultimate” goal very soon. In the same breath, he warned residents of the area against playing spoilsport and disrupting the ongoing development work as it was meant their own benefit. “If anyone tries to pose a hurdle to the tourism project by harassing contractors, it will take me just five minutes to cancel the plan,” thundered Gurung.

“Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced several development projects for the Darjeeling hills, but not a single one has started till now. But whenever the GTA takes an initiative, she tries to curmudgeon our efforts,” he alleged.

On whether he would meet the chief minister when she visits the hills next, he said, “Wo aayegi, jaayegi, lekin hum apna kaam karte rahenge (She will come and go but we will continue with our work).”

Soureni GTA sabhasad Arun Singchi said the second phase of the project is expected to cost Rs7.55 crore and will be completed within 18 months. He said a butterfly park, cafeteria, aquarium, flower exhibition centre, a 55ft musical fountain, tree house, car parking and swimming pool among other facilities will come up. In the third phase, a 15ft Hanuman temple, guest house and a pony lake will be constructed, added Singchi.