BJP must fulfill demand of Gorkhaland, says Binay

Amitava Banerjee, MP, Darjeeling: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Binay faction) has demanded that the BJP party, which got the mandate in both the Lok Sabha election and the Darjeeling Assembly by-polls, should fulfill the aspiration of the people with the formation of Gorkhaland in the next 5 years. 

Amar Singh Rai has accepted to take charge as the Chairman, North Bengal Development Board. "The BJP had been elected twice in 2009 and 2014 but failed to fulfill the aspiration of the Gorkhas. This time again they have got the mandate. This time they will have to fulfill the demand of Gorkhaland. MP Raju Bishta has to work on this," said Binay Tamang, President, GJM. 

After losing both the elections in the Hills, the GJM central committee, working committee and core committee met in Darjeeling on Sunday to review and chart future course of action. "In the election manifesto the BJP has talked of a political solution for the Gorkha impasse. It is high time they spell out what the political solution is. We hope it is Gorkhaland," Tamang said. 

The GJM stated that the BJP would press for National Register of Citizens of India (NRC) in Bengal. "Before that you have to declare all hill residents as 'original inhabitants' as the 87.2% of the hill residents do not possess land documents," Tamang said. He assured the people that he would fulfill the 31 issues in 23 months as he had assured while campaigning during the elections. The list includes land documents, minimum wages and appointments in vacant posts. 

"We had also talked about a permanent solution to the Gorkha impasse. In the next few days, we will have a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata where we will raise this issue. Though I lost in the election I will live up to my commitment for the betterment of the Hills," added Tamang. 

He stated that the GJM (Binay faction) will continue being an ally of the TMC and will continue working in close coordination with the state Government. Regarding the Opposition parties, mainly the GNLF's demand that GJM leaders, including present Chairman Anit Thapa should also resign from the GTA as they do not have the mandate, Tamang stated: "It is a state subject and the state will decide. 

However in the DGHC, GNLF President Late Subash Ghising was an administrator appointed by the state government from 2004 to March 2008." 

Meanwhile, the GNLF has demanded that the state government dissolve the Board of Administrators in the GTA. 

"Till a political solution is not worked out the government can run the GTA through bureaucrats, we have no problems with this. The Board of Administrators has to be immediately dissolved as the recent elections show that they have no mandate," stated Ajoy Edward, GNLF leader. 

When asked on what the permanent political solution should be Edward stated: "We will accept nothing less than 6th Schedule Status. It could be Union Territory or a separate state. 

Binay Tamang who is talking of Gorkhaland should apprise the Chief Minister about the Hill people's aspiration in Gorkhaland. He should also work for it." 

Incidentally the BJP, GNLF and GJM (Bimal faction) coalition has won both the Lok Sabha and Assembly by-polls in Darjeeling. http://www.millenniumpost.in/kolkata/bjp-must-fulfill-demand-of-gorkhaland-says-binay-355111