Arrested Darj civic body chief backs Binay

DK Pradhan

SNS, DARJEELING. 17 DECEMBER: Darjeeling Municipality chairman DK Pradhan, who is presently in a correctional home after being arrested during the recent Gorkhaland agitation, has announced his support to the Gorkha Jan Mukti Martha camp led by Binay Tamang and Anit Thapa.

Mr Pradhan was arrested on 22 September, along with two more senior Morcha leaders in Delhi, over various police cases filed during the 104- day agitation. Ever since his arrest, he is in the Siliguri Special Correctional Home.

In a press release he sent though his family members, Mr Pradhan said that he supported both the rebel leaders, and said, Both Binav and

Anit are doing good work in the Hills right now, and I will provide whatever help I can in their work. I also condemn the violence that took place during the agitation, as I have always supported non-violence.'

This statement comes at the time when Darjeeling Municipality councilors, who have backed the Binay camp, are trying to oust him from the post of the chairman. Twenty-eight councilors have already given a letter to the Darjeeling district magistrate and sub-divisional officer, demanding a special meeting so that a new chairperson and vice-chairperson can be elected.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Pradhan had been sworn in as the chairman, while Rain Jung Golay was made the vice-chairman on 29 May this year, days before the agitation for Gorkhaland started. While subsequently, Mr Pradhan was arrested, Mr Golay resigned from his post, citing health problems.

The Municipality has 32 ward councilors, while only 28 are raising the issue of anew chairperson, as Chun Chun Bhutia, one of the councilors, belongs to the Trinamul Congress, and the post of Ward- I councilor Nira Sharma remains disputed with her also having a Nepal citizenship