Bista welcomes Gurung; doubts Mamata claim

SNS,  SILIGURI. 6 DECEMBER 2020 : Darjeeling MP Raju Bista reacted to Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung's tirade against the BJP and his demand for the MP to step down, and said he was not someone who joined politics for his personal benefit or to earn money.

"I ant not someone who will join or resign, depending on the changing political scenario. I am in politics to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of our people are fulfilled, and I am going to fulfill them," Mr Bista said in a statement.

According to him, he will step down if CM Mamata Banerjee "gives assurance in writing" that she will support the Gorkhaland demand.

In a rally in Siliguri today, Mr Gurung demanded Mr Bista's resignation and further claimed that Miss Banerjee had promised to work towards a 'permanent political solution'for the Hill problem.

Mr Bista, who is also the BJP national spokesperson, added: "I extend my heartfelt welcome to Bimal Daju and all the displaced youths to their home and family members. This day has been eagerly awaited by majority of the people from Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars, and join them in welcoming all of them back."

"In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, but I am sure, even those who have decided to join hands with Trinamul Congress, whatever their compulsions may have been, they too must feel in the hearts of their hearts that this was a wrong decision," Mr Bista said.

"They may blame BJP all they like to ease their own guilty conscience, but I feel that the general public is not in a mood to forgive the Trinamul at any cost, and TMC' s defeat in the upcoming elections is guaranteed," he added.

The MP further iterated that the BJP would fulfill its commitments made to the Gorkhas in the election manifesto.