CPM seeks 'secret deal' transcripts in House meeting

We came to know that Bimal Gurung had visited Siliguri and he held meetings with Trinamul Congress leaders at Salbari recently. We want Mamata Banerjee to talk about their secret deal

SNS, SILIGURI, DARJEELING, 22 OCTOBER 2020: The CPI-M has demanded that transcripts of the 'secret deal' between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) leader Bimal Gurung be discussed by convening a special meeting in theWest Bengal Legislative Assembly.

The party said that the resurfacing of Mr Gurung, who is wanted in more than 150 criminal cases that includes a police officer's murder, and who is charged under the anti-terror law, had proved his "understanding" with the Trinamul Congress.

Slamming Miss Banerjee for fuelling unrest in the Hills while remaining in the opposition in the state, veteran Marxist leader Asok Bhattacharya today said that the party wanted her to declare the "secret deal" between her and Mr Gurung.

"We came to know that Bimal Gurung had visited Siliguri and he held meetings with Trinamul Congress leaders at Salbari recently. We want Mamata Banerjee to talk about their secret deal. As the West Bengal Assembly had passed the bill, paving way for the formation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, a special meeting should be called there for discussions of the deal. Both the BJP and the Trimunul Congress betrayed the Hill people.The ruling party has lost its credibility in running the state government," said Mr Bhattacharya, who is also the chairperson of the board of administrators of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation.

"He (Gurung) is now talking about leaving the BJP because, according to him, the party did not keep its promises, but he has reposed faith in Mamata Banerjee as she meets her commitments. The developments have made clear that Bimal Gurung got assurances from her that his demand will be fulfilled," the Siliguri MLA said.

Peace should remain: Anit Thapa

In Darjeeling, leader of another faction of the Morcha, Anit Thapa, said that peace should remain in the  Hills. His remarks come amid speculations that Mr Gurung could soon return to the Hills and that there could be disturbances, following the change in the political scenario.

"We restored peace in the Hills in 2017 and it should remain. I have full faith on the people here that they are peaceful. We took the step that year as we wanted to save the people and bring back peace," Mr Thapa, who is the chairman of the Board of Administrators of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, said.

According to him, they did not chase away Mr Gurung, but that he himself left the people and went away.

Mr Thapa also maintained that Mr Gurung should not come back in the hills in his old style as people would not like it.

"Earlier, he was the GTA chairman, but he does not hold any post, and he is a common man now," he said.

Mr Thapa added that he was in touch with Miss Banerjee since yesterday on the development in the Hills and that all should respect her thinking on providing employment opportunities in the Hills and bringing about development.

On the other hand, CPIM leader Saman Pathak said it was proven by the statement given by Mr Gurung yesterday that both the BJP and the TMC only plays with the emotions of the Hill people and work for their own political benefits by using the people.

"They are not sincere. We appeal to the people to be aware of this. People should think on the agreement that has taken place, for Gurung to have said that Mamata Banerjee should once again come to power in Bengal," he said.