Darjeeling: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Chief Bimal Gurung who till now constantly criticized Delhi ‘s silence over the Darjeeling impasse and even issued a deadline to the Union Government to intervene by August 8, suddenly claimed that he is being called repeatedly for talks to Delhi.

As the indefinite bandh clamped by the GJM hit the 53 day mark and the fast onto death reached the 17th day, on Sunday Gurung talking to media persons at Patleybash, 8 km from Darjeeling town stated “Delhi is constantly calling me for talks and there have been many an emissary from Delhi with the invite for talks. However I have made it clear to the emissaries that we will attend only if the talk is over the Gorkhaland issue.”

Gurung’s claim comes at a time when most of the front rung leaders of different hill political outfits are camping in Delhi, meeting Ministers and other political leaders over the Gorkhaland issue. Even Mann Ghising, son of Late Subash Ghising and the President of Gorkha National Liberation Front is in Delhi.

Though the Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC- a conglomeration of 13 pro Gorkha outfits including the GJM) had demanded the resignation of BJP MP from Darjeeling SS Ahluwalia stating that Ahluwalia though having won elections on the Gorkhaland plank had failed to utter “Gorkhaland” even a single time during a recent press meet in Delhi; Gurung feels otherwise.

“MP Ahluwalia should not resign. He is working in Delhi on the Gorkhaland front. He is corresponding with the Government top brass on the Gorkhaland issue. He is acting as bridge between us and the Government is Delhi on the Gorkhaland issue. ” claimed Gurung.

Expressing clear difference of opinion with the GMCC Gurung stated that Independence day should be celebrated on a grand scale as usual in the Hills. “We are proud Indians and we have always been celebrating Independence day on a grand scale. This year too this should continue. ” He did not however specify on whether the ongoing bandh would be lifted on Independence day or not.

Interestingly the GMCC had stated that Independence day commemorations will be on a low key note this year owing to the unrest. They had stated that except for singing the national anthem and hosting the tricolor there would be no celebrations.

Gurung further claimed that Gorkhaland would soon become a reality. “The very fact that Bengal is trying to suppress the movement with excess force is an indication of this. Bengal has started feeling the pangs of getting dismembered soon with Gorkhaland to be carved out of the State” stated Gurung.

Answering to the call from Prime Minister Modi to commemorate 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement by embarking on a “Tiranga Yatra” from August 9 to 15, the GJM will also organize the same in the Hills but with a Gorkhaland twist.

Along with slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” the GJM will also chant “Bengal Quit the Hills;””Bengal Pahar Choro” and “We want Gorkhaland. ”

Political commentators opine that Gurung’s sudden claims of Delhi talk invites is an effort to send across the message of GJM’s standing relation with Delhi at a time when other hill political parties are trying to cut a mark in the Capital. Gurung also is trying to prove his sincerity to the Gorkhaland cause by stating that he will not attend any talks where the issue of discussion is other than Gorkhaland.

However political pundits further state that Delhi will not be interested in holding talks bypassing the West Bengal Government. In a recent meeting with Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh made it clear that the onus lies with the State Government to initiate steps to resolve the Darjeeling impasse and that the Union Government is ready to extend all cooperation in this direction.

Delhi in turn is trying to project its sincerity towards upholding the federal nature of the Indian Government by this move feel political commentators.
[Via: Oneindianews]