Morcha claims GNLF families' joining

SNS, DARJEELING, 14 November 2018: As the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) gears up to start its programmes to strengthen the political party further in the different constituencies in the Hills, the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha has claimed that several families belonging to the GNLF had been fast joining their party. The GNLF however, dismissed the claim as rumours.'

With political observers saying that the Morcha and the GNLF Will be two major parties, which would be competing in the Lok Sabha elections next year, the ground work to be laid by both the parties in the run-upto the polls would play an important role in finally deciding on the winner.

"Twenty-three hardcore GNLF families from Lower Lingseybung of Lodhoma joined our party yesterday, with 26 more joining in Rimbick area today. There are more families which are showing interest in joining us in areas like Sukhia, Manebhanjyang, Takdah, Chungthung, and Maribong. They are joining us because they feel that the GNLF, since its inception, has not done much for their area, and they do not have a concrete issue with them, while only confusing the people," Sandip Chettri the Darjeeling sub-division spokes person of the Morcha, said.

"First, their issue was Gorkhaland,then they changed it to Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, and then to Sixth Schedule," he added.

Mr Chettri also said that the family in Lingseybung that joined the Morcha yesterday was with the GNLF since its formation.

Asked if the move was Morcha's counter to the GNLF plans to go to the villages with the issue of Sixth Schedule and to make the party active in places where it is presently inactive, Mr Chettri said, "The GNLF has never been a factor for us, as we have the maximum support of the people, as our stand is clear that we are against the Centre as it has betrayed us, We are working with the state government for development of the Hills, but our main issue is Gorkhaland. As for our coming programmes, we will decide them in a meeting."

On the other hand, when contacted, GNLF leader Y Lama dismissed the Morcha claims that GNLF cadres had joining the Morcha. According to him, such talks doing the rounds are all rumours."  (Source & Coutesy: http://epaper.thestatesman.com/1896130/Siliguri-The-Statesman/15th-November-2018#page/15/1)