GNLF celebrated 34th foundation day across Darjeeling and kalimpong

The GNLF today celebrated its 34th foundation day across Darjeeling and kalimpong. But Ghisingh was absent in a programme held at the Tenzing Norgay Youth Hostel near his residence at Dr. Zakir Hussain Road, Darjeeling. The GNLF (Gorkha National Liberation Front) president however, did unfurl the party flag atop his residence from his room with help from aides.
GNLF elebrated 34th foundation day across Darjeeling and kalimpong
GNLF elebrated 34th foundation day across Darjeeling and kalimpong
Similarly, Gorkha National Liberation Front today organised a meeting to mark its 35th foundation day in Kalimpong.The meeting was addressed by unit leaders including Maurice Kalikotay, Roshan Lama, Anil Lopchan, William Yonzon and KP Poudyal, among others.

Briefing media persons later the GNLF chief said, "At that time, Nepalis residing in the country used to be victimised as outsiders. I had to do something to put an end to this; hence I raked up the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state. However, after the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in 1988, the issue was victimisation problem was more or less resolved.”

He added, "The Gorkhaland demand was a "brahmasthra" that I used which has done its job.”

The GNLF president today reiterated his demand for including the Darjeeling hills under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution that he had taken up in 2004 saying it to be the ideal arrangement. He also said the DGHC should be revived as the setup has constitutional guarantee and is a step towards Sixth Schedule status. A memorandum of understanding on this was also signed between the state and central governments and the GNLF in December 2005.

“I will take up the matter with the state and central governments once the election is over," said Ghisingh. But when reminded that the TMC’s brainchild, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, was functioning, the old septuagenarian leader said, "Whether the state government will revive the DGHC or not I don't know. But it is our political stand.”

However, Kalikote claimed in Kalimpong said, “Gorkhaland can be formed without keeping the geographical, historical and political agendas as pertinent issues. We have many documents that none of the other parties have and the GNLF will use them to secure a separate state of Gorkhaland.” The party will emerge as one of the most powerful organisations in the hills after the elections, he further averred.

On the other hand Anil Lopchan in Kalimpong said the Sixth Schedule status should be implemented regardless of whichever party forms the government and no one should oppose it. “The Sixth Schedule status comes from a voting process and no political party can discard it, and the status is to secure the future of the hills and should not be opposed by anyone,” he remarked.

Reacting to the GNLF’s decision to support TMC, Ghisingh said, "The GNLF and TMC will not campaign from the same platform. Whatever needs to be done will happen through distribution of pamphlets and I think this is more than enough.”


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