Gorkhaland back on GNLF agenda
The Telegraph
Darjeeling, March 2: The GNLF today passed a resolution to revive the Gorkhaland demand, “taking into account the aspirations of the hill people”.
The resolution, which was adopted by the three GNLF branch committees in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kurseong, however, made it clear that the party had given the go-ahead to the Sixth Schedule bill only after it was clear that the people, too, had wanted it.
“On January 10, 2005, the state government mulled a provision under Article 371 (J). The party and the people rejected this provision following which a memorandum of settlement was signed on December 6 2005 for the special status. At that time, the people were in favour of the demand.
However, taking into account the current circumstances and the aspiration of the people, we have decided to demand Gorkhaland,” said Gurung.
Political analysts believe that the GNLF has no option but to raise the statehood demand after the Morcha gained the support of the hill people by clamoring for Gorkhaland and stalling the special status bills. The GNLF has, however, not yet announced its agitation plan and has decided to wait for instruction from party chief Subash Ghisingh, who is currently camping in Delhi.
In Kurseong, I.N. Pradhan, the president of the GNLF branch committee said Ghisingh was not in favour of being nominated as a Rajya Sabha member as was reported in a section of the media. “I spoke to him in Delhi today and he has clarified that the story is unfounded”.
No comments:
Post a Comment