‘New front’ to pitch for Gorkhaland

As a culmination of the recent development in the Hills pro-Gorkhaland democratic forces from Darjeeling and Dooras region and the rest of West Bengal will possibly unite to form a political Front for the political demand of a separate state in the initiative of All India Gorkha League.

“This is the inevitable outcome of the undemocratic acts of GJMM. Discussions are going on with all intellectuals from Bengal, concerned citizens and pro-Gorkhaland parties to form a united front to generate a public opinion in the rest of the state for the separate state demand”, said AIGL president Mr. Madan Tamang.

During GNLF's reign a united Opposition comprising of all anti-GNLF parties had formed the Peoples' Democratic Front which was rendered dysfunctional after GJMM came to existence last year. The main reason was the falling out between the CPRM and AIGL, two major constituents of PDF when the former befriended GJMM but the latter refused to surrender.

“The PDF still exists but is keeping a low profile. This will be on a larger scale and formed in the lines of All Party Hill Leaders Conference, an association of different north-eastern parties instrumental in attaining the state of Meghalaya. The Front will be formed within November. Our vision of Gorkhaland is a fearless society where people will not have to follow diktats”, Mr Tamang said.

But the criterion is they will have to adopt a district level resolution for Gorkhaland. “By pro-Gorkhaland we mean all parties in favour of it. Even if the CPIM wishes to join they can by adopting a resolution for the separate state,” Mr Tamang replied when asked if GJMM would be part of it.

The CPRM leadership stated that decisions on such prospects could be taken only after a formal intimation from the AIGL. “We have not received any proposals so far. However, we have to review such a development within our own party before taking any stand,” CPRM general secretary Mr RB Rai said.