What seems to be an apparent climb down from its initial stand, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) indicated that it has agreed to the proposal of the state government to bifurcate Jalpaiguri district.
After an all party meeting on Wednesday, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said: “We have demanded the inclusion of 196 mouzas from the Dooars under the proposed Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). Some of the mouzas is in Alipurduar. A high-level committee has been formed to look into our demand. We want that Jalpaiguri district should not be divided till the matter is settled.” In the all-party meeting, the GJM also demanded the division of Darjeeling into two districts. But within hours, the GJM climbed down from this position.
“We have agreed to all the proposals that came up at the all-party meeting. Madam (Mamata Banerjee) is doing so much for us. The Left Front in its 34 years rule did nothing for the people of Darjeeling. She has given us a tangible dream of development, besides the GTA. We can therefore set aside some minor differences to co-operate with the government. The state government and the GTA will work together for the development of the Hills,” Mr Gurung announced.
Meanwhile, the chief minister agreed to the concern of leader of Opposition Suryakanta Mishra over putting up of signboards of Gorkhaland in Darjeeling by the GJM. During a closed door meeting with Ms Banerjee, Dr Mishra raised this issue. Though Dr Mishra refused to divulge the content of the meeting, sources said that Ms Banerjee agreed to his concern.