Parties hail Bista's pitch for `solution'

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 31 Jul 2019, Darjeeling: Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista's speech that drew Parliament's attention to the need for a "permanent political solution" for the Darjeeling hills, Terai and the Dooars has caused a new churn in the political discourse of the hills. 

Bista on Monday sought a permanent political solution for the hills and requested Union home minister Amit Shah to start dialogues with all stakeholders. 

The GNLF and the CPRM issued statements on Tuesday "welcoming" Bista's speech Ajoy Edwards, the president of the GNLF's Darjeeling branch committee, said: "We are happy with the development and welcome the issue raised by the MP Edwards said it was important that a political settlement was worked out for the hills. 

The GNLF has said the settlement should be constitutional and not less than Sixth Schedule status R.B. Rai, a former Darjeeling MP and the president of the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists, also welcomed the decision. 

"The Darjeeling MP has raised a very important issue, which is being welcomed by separate state lovers from the Darjeeling hills to the Terai and the Dooars.

Rai also said Bista's statement that the DGHC and the GTA were "failed experiments" was also commendable. 

Amar Lama, a bureau member of the JAP, however, said it was time for the "permanent political solution to be disclosed." 

"I do not want to sound sceptical but we must now know about the permanent political solution that the BJP is thinking about. I think, for the hill people, a permanent solution is separation from Bengal.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leader Binay Tamang, however, criticised Bista: "Such an issue had been raised previously by former BJP MPs like Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Jaswant Singh and S.S. Ahluwalia. 

Raising an issue during zero hour does not mean that the Centre has agreedTamang said: "The important thing is to spell out the details of the solution and place a bill in both the houses of Parliament. Until then, it is only an attempt to hoodwink common people."