Harka questions GTA work in hills

Harka Bahadur Chhetri at Bagdogra on Thursday. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, Bagdogra, Sept. 24: Harka Bahadur Chhetri, who quit the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, on his return to the hills today said the party was a sham as no development work planned by it was visible in his constituency, Kalimpong.

He dodged the question of which party he would join, but said he would speak to the Trinamul-led state government about the lapses of the Morcha, which controls the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). He added that he would put his best effort to meet the aspirations of Kalimpong residents before the next Assembly elections scheduled for next year.

At Bagdogra airport, while on his way to the hills, Chhetri said: "I am feeling free now and would be able to do a lot of work for people dwelling in the hills, particularly in Kalimpong, which is my constituency."

He said: "I have thoroughly visited my entire constituency, including several remote areas. During my visit, I felt disappointed as I found that most of the so-called development work announced elaborately (by the GTA) was only on papers. Even details of infrastructure projects were shared with people and funds were also sanctioned for such projects. But the ground reality presented a sharp contrast. I will bring these lapses to the notice of the state government and will seek a comprehensive inquiry to find out why these projects have not been completed."

He said when he had "raised these issues within the party, differences cropped up" between him and the other leaders. "I had enough reasons to quit the party. Whether the party has any clout in the hills does not matter to me. I will keep working as the MLA and this issue will not create any botheration for me," the Kalimpong MLA, who has for now said he would be an Independent legislator, said.

Ever since Chhetri has resigned from the Morcha, there are speculations that he might join Trinamul. Today, some hill Trinamul leaders and supporters were at the airport to receive the MLA who flew down from Calcutta.

Chhetri, when asked about his possibility of joining Trinamul, said: "I have nothing to comment. I want to work as a neutral MLA. Also, I would like to state that maintaining cordial relations with the state government does not mean that I will join the party which is running the government."

On the demand of declaring Kalimpong a separate district, Chhetri said: "I have spoken with the chief minister. She has patiently heard my point and assured me that she would look into the demand seriously."