Citizen's Forum to be converted into political party

EOI  | DARJEELING  |  JUNE 20, 2022 :  The Citizen's Forum, an organization of prominent citizens of the Darjeeling hills formed to spearhead the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state, has decided to convert itself  into a political entity. Former Vice Chancellor of  Sikkim University Mahendra PLama, one of the founding members of the Forum, said on Monday the process had already begun to register the Citizen's Forum with the Election Commission of India.

"We have started the process to convert our organisation into a political party. It will however take some time before we get recognised," 

Lama said, after a closed-door meeting of the organization at the Gorkha Dukha Niwark Samellan in Darjeeling on Monday. The Citizen's Forum was formed a few month ago, comprising members from the intellectual field, social organizations and political background to take forward the demand of a separate state. The Forum had organized some time ago a seminar on"Roadmap to Gorkhaland" to garner support and create awareness about the statehood demand. The Citizen's Forum is opposed to the existing Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, an administrative body formed in 2012 following a tripartite agreement between the West Bengal government, the Centre and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, marking the end of a four-year-long statehood agitation. The Forum has written to the West Bengal government to cancel the GTA poll, scheduled on June 26. Lama said in the day's meeting the areas of Teraiand Dooars  would  also  be  included  in  the  proposed Gorkhaland. "The demand for a separate state is not for a single community. If it is an issue of  identity for the Gorkhas, the issue holds a different meaning for the other communities residing in the hills and who are supporting the demand," said Lama. Lama, a former member of the National Security Advisory Board, said the Citizen's Forum would refrain from violent agitation to secure the demand for a separate state, prudent from past experiences. 

"Political parties, social organizations and people from different communities and religion must be united. We will also ensure that our approach is non-violent. We will redirect the youths for a peaceful and democratic movement," he said.