Harka Bahadur to launch new party by January 10

Writes Rajeev Ravidas for TT

Kalimpong, Dec. 31: MLA Harka Bahadur Chhetri today said he would float the new party by January 10 and discussions were on to frame its constitution, manifesto and policies as he received a shot in the arm with 24 primary school teachers forming a new outfit and extending support to him.

Ahead of the launch of a cleanliness drive organised here today by the Kalimpong District Demand Committee, of which Chhetri is the chief coordinator, he said he would form his new party by early next month. "We are holding discussions. We will have to discuss what its policies will be, its constitution and manifesto and identify priorities...the new party will be formed not later than January 10," he said.

In another development, a group of 24 primary school teachers from the Kalimpong subdivision has formed the Kalimpong District Primary Teachers' Organisation.

Prem Dorji Sherpa, a teacher at the Munsong Primary School, said all the 24 members of the new organisation were from the rural areas of the subdivision and almost all of them were previously associated with Janmukti Primary Teachers' Organisation, a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha-affiliate. "We have formed the organisation by taking Harka Sir into confidence. We will support him," he said.

The organisation was formed on December 26.

Asked if the organisation would operate under the umbrella of Chhetri's new party, Sherpa said it would probably operate independently, but supported the new outfit from outside.

Observers said the formation of the new teachers' organisation was a definite boost to Chhetri at the cost of the Morcha. "Apart from teachers, members of other Morcha-affiliate organisations like the Janmukti Asthai Karmachari Sangathan are showing signs of restiveness. The possibility of some of these disgruntled elements leaving the Morcha cannot be ruled out. Any fissures in the Morcha can only work to Chhetri's advantage," said an observer.

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