Rajiv Gandhi was ready for Gorkhaland: Bhandari

Gangtok, 13 Nov: Responding to allegations made by GNLF leaders towards Sikkim leaders during a public meeting held at Kalimpong recently, Mr Nar Bahadur Bhandari called a press meet here at the Congress office.

The agitation of Gorkhaland was almost succeeded during the eighties, but unexpectedly Mr. Subash Ghisingh settled on Hill Council by signing the tripartite agreement, said Mr. Bhandari, recalling decades-old Gorkhaland agitation.

Late Rajiv Gandhi and the central government were completely convinced by the Gorkhaland agitation and its activists. 1988 Tripartite Agreement signed by Mr Ghisingh, is the key cause of today’s internal conflict in Darjeeling hills, affirmed Mr Bhandari.

Gorkhaland is only a solution to fulfil the aspirations and dreams of people from Darjeeling Hills, Dooars and Siliguri. And Sixth Schedule is their privilege, which they should acknowledge but not setting aside the demand of Gorkhaland, recommended Mr. Narbahadur Bhandari, the former chief minister of Sikkim.

Was there consent of people and their representatives during the Sixth Schedule MOS agreement? If it is not so then it is undemocratic, expressed Mr. Bhandari.

Sikkim had significant support to Gorkhaland activists during the Gorkhaland agitation; we supported Darjeeling selflessly, besides having our numerous problems, we fed thousands in a day, wounded activists were treated in state hospitals, many times we saved Mr Ghisingh from CRPF and reached him in secured place by helicopter reminded Mr Bhandari.

Reacting sharply to the comments made by GNLF leaders during the Kalimpong public meeting “leaders of Sikkim are not allowed to speak about Darjeeling”, Mr. Bhandari said, which leaders, should be able to mention names clearly. The person who is speaking so, his own wife is working here in Sikkim.

I have the right to talk about not only Darjeeling but any part of the country where the Gorkha community is likely to face a crisis.

The people of Sikkim also tolerated many difficulties during the closure of the 40-day Darjeeling hills strike; the development process was hampered, and the economy suffered. In case the same circumstance persists again, Sikkim should not suffer, said Mr Narbahadur Bhandari, president of the Sikkim Congress committee.

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