Won't disturb Hills with Gorkhaland stir: Roshan Giri

SNS, SILIGURI, 27 JANUARY 2023: The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), which had been spearheading the movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland in the Hills, Plains and the Dooars, has said it will no longer disturb the region while pressing for its demand. According to the patty, the movement \All henceforth be "national capital centric."

Party general secretary Roshan Gin today said they will focus on Delhi to carry out their future programmes.

The GJMM and other Hill-based political parties have recently constituted the Bharatiya Gorkhaland Sang-harsh Samiti to lead the movement for Gorkhaland.

Political analysts believe that with such statements, the Hill-based party was eying the Centre about fulfilling the BJP's Lok Sabha election promise of finding a permanent political solution. They believe that the party is now tilted towards the BJP.

"We will not disturb the Hills, Terai and the Dooars,and our focus will be in Delhi. Our party will decide on the course of programmes soon," Mr Giri said here today.

"We had supported the BJP in the elections since 2009 and it continued till 2020. But it has not taken substantial steps towards fulfilling the commitments made in the sankalpa patra (elect ion manifesto). Hlowever, we will observe its role till the central government's tenure ends in 2024," Mr Giri added.

The MP had promised a permanent political solution for the region and granting of tribal status to 11 Gorkha communities.

Darjeeling parliamentary constituency has been electing BJP MPs since 2009, with Jaswant Singh, SS Ahluwalia and now Raju Bista in 2019.

The region has Witnessed a violent movement for the statehood demand in recent years, including the one in 2017, when a 104-day-long strike was observed, severely affecting the tea industry, tourism and educational sector- the backbone of the Hill economy. More than 10 people, including policemen. died during the agitation in 2017.

Trinamul Congress, however, took a dig at the GIMM stance.  

"It is good that good sense has prevailed, but when the issueis of Bengal and if it gets oxygen in Delhi it is their prerogative," said senior party leader and Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb.

"Everyone knows that they (GJMM) hold meetings in Delhi, somewhere in the Hills, sometimes outside the Hills. It is true that the BJP did nothing for the Hills. It does not have any development oriented plans, especially for Bengal. There may be a bigger game plan behind this," Mr Deb said.