Bimal sends team to Delhi

TT, Calcutta, Sept. 7: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung today said he had sent a team to Delhi to meet Union home minister Rajnath Singh, the move being perceived as his last-ditch attempt to get the Centre on board at a time the Bengal government has appeared to be more inclined towards Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa.

Speaking to The Telegraph over phone, Gurung said: "I have sent a delegation to Delhi. They will meet the Union home minister."

The Morcha chief said the delegation would have in it Kalimpong MLA Sarita Rai, Kurseong legislator Rohit Sharma, study forum member Swaraj Thapa and Kalyan Dewan, a vice-president of the party.

The Morcha chief's decision to send a team to Delhi is significant as Tamang, whom Gurung had expelled from the party for announcing a pause in the strike, had written to Rajnath a few days ago, requesting that all communication be addressed to him.

"We want the Centre to call tripartite talks on Gorkhaland. Once talks on Gorkhaland starts, we can think about the indefinite strike," Gurung said.

His reference to "tripartite talks" is significant because it is the only way that the Morcha can bring Delhi on board.

"The state government is keen to sit only with Tamang camp.... Now, if the Centre also starts interacting with Tamang, it would be difficult for Gurung," an observer said. "It seems to be his last-ditch attempt."

Gurung, who had yesterday said that if Tamang and Thapa could mend their ways, they could return to the party, made a U-turn today. "We won't take back those who have sold themselves to the state government."