Indian News

Bengal not averse to tripartite talks with GJM: Buddhadeb The West Bengal government on Tuesday (June 17) suggested that it was not averse to a tripartite meeting with Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, which is spearheading an agitation for a separate Gorkhaland, and the Centre on the Darjeeling issue and made an unconditional offer of talks with the Gorkha group. An all-party meeting in Kolkata adopts resolution asking Gorkha Janamukti Morcha to withdraw its indefinite bandh in Darjeeling hills and hold talks with West Bengal government. Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee says it is a political problem which can be solved politically and that something will emerge in the next few days. He feels agitation and bandh in the hills will not solve the problem. The West Bengal Chief Minister — Buddhadev Bhattacharjee — also said that the state governement is trying to resolve the issue in an amicable manner. Asked if the government would be ready to discuss a separate Gorkhaland state as demanded by GJM, the Chief Minister told reporters in Kolkata after an all-party meeting that “in my earlier letter to GJM for talks, we did not set any condition. We still do not have any pre-condition.” Bhattacharjee said he would inform the Centre about the outcome of today’s meeting and ask the political parties, which attended the meeting to make efforts in initiating dialogues with the GJM for a solution. In reply to a question, Bhattacharjee said that he did not have any objection to a bipartite or triparite meeting with GJM. ”We want a solution to the problem, be it through a bipartite or tripartite meeting. But this requires preparation of the ground. For this, there is a greater need to exchange views with the Centre as also with the agitators,” the Chief Minister said. Appealing to GJM to call off its indefinite bandh in Darjeeling Hills, he said “we will have to stand together and convince the leaders of GJM that bandhs will not solve any problem. What we need is a political dialogue.” He said the meeting, attended by Congrees, BJP and Left Front partners, unanimously resolved to find a political solution to the impasse through dialogue “with patience and tolerance.” Trinamool, GNLF skips all-party meeting on Darjeeling Pushed to the corner by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) on the issue of Gorkhaland, Gorkha National Liberation Front led by Subash Ghishing on Tuesday (June 17) skipped the all-party meeting called by West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee here today to discuss the Darjeeling issue. Main opposition Trinamool Congress and SUCI also skipped the all-party meeting, arguing all parties, including GJM, should have been invited. “Our party president (Ghishing) possibly got the invitation from the state government to attend the meeting. Since I have not got any instruction from my party president, I will not go,” Shanta Chhetri who is the party MLA from Kurseong, said. Two other GNLF lesiglators Goulan Lepcha from Kalimpong and Pranay Rai from Darjeeling have already switched over to GJM. They have already submitted their resignations from the party to Speaker H A Halim on Februry 29 and requested him to allot seats for them as they would not sit with GNLF legislator Chhetri. Replying to a question, Chhetri said “all people in the Darjeeling hills want Gorkhaland. Even GNLF itself was formed to fight for Gorkhaland”. The GNLF has been accused by GJM of betraying the Gorkhaland cause and settling for a Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in 1988. Ghishing resigned from DGHC caretaker administrator’s post on March 10 this year in the face of agitation by GJM.