Non implementation of Sixth Schedule a big mistake, says GNLF on anniversary of Accord Day

EOI, DARJEELING, DEC 6/, 2023 : The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) put its weight behind implementation of Sixth Schedule in the hills while asserting political parties and people had blundered in opposing it and as a result the hills was suffering.

The GNLF marks the signing of Memorandum of Agreement between the state, central government and the GNLF on December 6, 2005 for implementation of sixth schedule in the hills, as Accord Day.

On Wednesday, the party observed the sixth schedule accord day and paid homage to Subash Ghising the GNLF president and brainchild of the sixth schedule demand.

GNLF secretary general, Neeraj Zimba evoked the demand saying 'a big mistake' had been made. "It was very unfortunate that political parties, various social organizations and people opposed the sixth schedule and its implementation in the hills. We are suffering for that, now. The special status under the sixth schedule had constitutional guarantee. It would have helped solve the problems of the people," he said.

Riding the anti sixth schedule wave, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha led by Bimal Gurung with the support of the BJP managed to put to the back burner, the bill placed in parliament and ultimately took over the reigns of the Hills region.

Ghising and most of aides were forced to take refuge in the plains of Siliguri for several years before being allowed to return to the hills. The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha led by Anit Thapa, a former GJM leader now runs the affairs of the Hills with support of the Bengal government. "The very people who opposed the sixth schedule is now regretting. The 2007 and 2017 agitations bore no fruit. We got the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration which is a redundant body that has failed to deliver to the people," said Zimba. Interestingly, the GNLF is now an ally of the BJP and Zimba won the MLA seat from Darjeeling on the BJP ticket in 2019.

The BJP in spite of winning three consecutive Lok Sabha terms from the hills since 2009 has failed to keep its end of the bargain of providing a permanent political solution and granting tribal status to the left out Gorkha communities, promises that features in its election manifesto.

Prime minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign in 2019 in Siliguri had said the dreams of the Gorkhas were his. And union home minister Amit Shah in Kalimpong had said he would stand as a "chattan" (boulder) for the Gorkha community.

The GNLF secretary general admitted it would be unfortunate if the BJP failed to deliver on its promise. "People are right to feel angst and desperate. The PM and HM have given assurance," said Zimba. Asked if the GNLF would support the BJP in the 2024 election the Darjeeling MLA responded in the affirmative. "We are alliance partner of the BJP. We will definitely support them. We are hopeful that the BJP will deliver something before the election," said Zimba.

The GNLF president Mann Ghising is presently camped in Delhi on invitation of the BJP top brass.