Hunger strike hint

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, Kalimpong, Nov. 13: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung today said he might sit on an indefinite hunger strike in Delhi during the course of his party's previously announced dharna for Gorkhaland at Jantar Mantar on December 12.

"Anything can happen in Delhi. The dharna could be converted into an indefinite one. There could be self-immolation.... Even Bimal Gurung may sit on an indefinite hunger strike," he told supporters at the party's public meeting at the Mela Ground in Kalimpong.The Morcha president announced its Delhi programme in Mirik last week. All elected representatives of the party, including municipality commissioners, GTA executive members and legislators, will take part in the four-day dharna which will conclude on December 16.

The Morcha has in the past organised indefinite hunger strikes at different places in the hills and plains, but no senior party leaders have taken part in them. If Gurung actually sits in one next month, it will be his first.

"The Morcha leadership has drawn criticism for not taking part in hunger strikes in the past. People have asked if K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the president of Telengana Rashtriya Samiti and present chief minister of Telengana, could undertake indefinite hunger strikes during his party's agitation for a separate state, why couldn't Morcha leaders do the same?" said an observer.

Gurung also appealed to all political parties in the hills who are in favour of Gorkhaland to join the Morcha in its Delhi protest. "Bengal cannot give us Gorkhaland, it is the Centre that can. So let us all go to Delhi and put pressure on the Centre. I appeal to all parties to join us," he said.