State won’t accept GJMM demands: Harka

SNS Darjeeling, | 19 October, 2015: Kalimpong MLA Harka Bahadur Chettri on Saturday said that considering the 'strained' relationship between the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM)and the state government, it is very unlikely for chief minister Mamata Banerjee to accept any demands raised by the GJMM, including the demand for a Kalimpong district.

Given the strained relationship between them (GJMM) and the state government, it is likely that chief minister Mamata Banerjee will not grant any of their demands, even the demand of a Kalimpong district , if it is raised by them. Considering their antagonism towards the state, why would Banerjee accept any of their demands? It is because of this that I have been saying that it is wise not to bring GJMM on board in the Kalimpong district demand committee," Chettri said.

In response to the allegation made by the assistant general secretary of the GJMM, Binay Tamang, that Chettri is trying to weaken the Gorkhaland movement by creating a rift between Kalimpong and Darjeeling and working on behalf of the Trinamul Congress, Chettri said, "If the GJMM demands for a Kalimpong district, it is ok. But if the same demand is raised by me, as a representative of the region, I am conspiring to create a rift between Kalimpong and Darjeeling? People can make it out," adding, "They (GJMM) are confused themselves; at one point they organise rallies in demand of a Kalimpong district and on the other hand they say that Kalimpong district will weaken the cause of Gorkhaland." Chettri clarified that the formation of a Kalimpong disrict will have no impact on the relationship between Darjeeling and Kalimpong. "The sabashads from Kalimpong will still be under the GTA, everything will be as it is; the only difference will be that Kalimpong will have its own district magistrates office and a few more blocks will be added. Why are they (GJMM) sacred?"

"Although Chettri is aware of the fact that it will become easier for the state government to dilute the cause of Gorkhaland by creating a rift between Kalimpong and Darjeeling, he is conspiring to create the drift. The people of Kalimpong needs to be vigilant" Tamang had said on Saturday, adding that Chettri is raising the demand of a Kalimpong district with an eye at next year's Assembly election. "Even if I have an eye on the elections, what is the reason behind their anxiety? MLAs play no role for them; they will ask the MLAs to resign anyway. Give me an instance where I was seen working for the TMC. I have been working as the representative of the region," Chettri said.