Gurung, Chamling join hands

Photo Courtesy: The Voice of Sikkim

Nirmal Mangar and Vivek Chhetri, TT, Gangtok, Aug. 21: Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling and GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung have for the first time decided to join hands to pursue the demand for inclusion of 10 Gorkha communities in the Schedule Tribe list.

Gurung today called on Chamling at his residence at Mintokgang in Gangtok and held a two-hour-long meeting.

In a joint media address, Gurung said: "I have approached the chief minister of Sikkim so that we could jointly move the demand of granting tribal status to Gorkhas with the central government. He (Chamling) is an experienced person with huge knowledge. His guidance on the matter would be a blessing for us. We will together raise the issue of tribal status with the central government."
Chamling, while appealing to all political parties in the hills to join hands, said: "The tribal status demand for Nepali Gorkha speaking community would be supported by the Sikkim government. I thank Mr Gurung for taking up this initiative. This is a political right and a demand of all Gorkhas and I request all political parties in the hills to unite in this issue and look for a political consensus."

Chamling, whose relation with Gurung has seen many ups and downs, especially when the hills were agitating for Gorkhaland, today said: "We might have regional problems but the tribal issue is a matter which would unite all Nepali Gorkha speaking community. We also seek suggestions and opinions from the civil society members."

Gurung said he will leave for Delhi "to pursue the matter with the Centre".

He also said he has requested Chamling to train GTA officials in capacity building and skill development.