The founder president of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), Bimal Gurung reiterated on Saturday their demand for a separate Gorkhaland.
In a press statement posted in the party’s social media group, Gurung asserted that his party will never ‘compromise’ on the Gorkhaland demand and that an adhoc agreement is not acceptable.
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“There are fabricated news being spread that I am willing to settle for some sort of autonomous arrangement for the Darjeeling region under Article 244 of the Constitution with the reports also claiming that I will be backing from the demand of Gorkhaland. I want to clarify that I will never compromise on our demand of Gorkhaland and am not seeking for any stop gap settlements or short term autonomous arrangements,” said Gurung in the press note posted in the party’s social media group.
“In 1986, the GNLF dropped the demand of Gorkhaland in favour of an autonomous body Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and in good faith, the Morcha agreed to experiment with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in 2011 without dropping the demand of Gorkhaland. However, both bodies failed miserably to live up to the expectations of the people. The only resolution to our century-old demand will be there when Gorkhaland state is formed,” the release further stated.
The GJM leader also stated that the people in Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars are well aware that inclusion of the region under Sixth Schedule instead of the formation of Gorkhaland State is an agenda that has been pushed by West Bengal since the time of Late Subash Ghisingh.
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¨Today once again those who are doing the bidding for Bengal by accepting frivolous posts and funds are pushing forward the same agenda and these reports are helping Bengal to perpetuate the lies. I will never compromise on the aspirations of the people and will continue our struggle for Gorkhaland under the democratic means prescribed in the constitution,” the press release further stated.
Gurung also appealed the people to stay united and not get swayed away by rumours.