Separate Gorkhaland issue will not figure in the talks which will resume between the state government and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on June 6 to resolve the problems in the Darjeeling Hills. This became evident after a meeting between GJM president Bimal Gurung and chief minister Mamata Banerjee at the Writers’
Buildings on Monday.
“Today’s meeting was a political courtesy one. A meeting will be held between the state government officers and GJM representatives at the Writers’ Buildings on June 6. Then a political level meeting will be held, involving the state, the Centre and the GJM. The state chief secretary has been asked to contact the Centre on this matter,” the chief minister announced after a 45-minute meeting with a eight-member GJM delegation led by Mr Gurung.
On being asked about their demand for Gorkhaland, Mr Gurung replied: “Yeh abhi discuss nehi hoga, bad me dekha jayega (It will not be discussed now, we will see it later).” This comment is a very significant one, especially when the GJM has been adamant on its Gorkhaland demand.