GNLF sights on GTA elections

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, Darjeeling: The Gorkha National Liberation Front on Saturday said they would not allow anyone "to score a goal in an open goal post" during the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) polls. 

The statement gains significance as the GNLF is opposed to the GTA and has also filed a case at the Calcutta High Court challenging the validity

of the party. The GNLF perceives as the GTA to be an illegal administrative set up.

Neeraj Zimba, member of the party's newly formed steering committee, said: "The GNLF will not allow allow any one to score a goal in an open

goal post." He was referring Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's demand for an early election to the hill body, said sources.

Binay Tamang is currently heading the hill body after being nominated by the state government to the board of administrators of the GTA " Neeraj Zimba might not contest the elections in the party's banner but one can contest as an independent candidate". Zimba added. 

Mann Ghisingh, the president of the GNLF had earlier stated that though the party was opposed to the GTA, a section within the party was of

the opinion whether it would be right to surrender power for the next five years. During 2013 GTA elections, the GNLF had not contested.

The state government, which conducts the GTA polls, however, has not issued any notification on the polls.

The GNLF leader also said that the party was not particularly stressing on the "son of the soil" policy in the upcoming election.