Quit threat by Gurung

People in the hills should remain united till Gorkhaland is achieved, Bimal Gurung, said today. The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief has also threatened to step down if they are not happy with his party’s performance.

When other political parties were given more than 20 years to achieve Gorkhaland, the Morcha had asked for two-three years to fulfill the demand. “If people have problems to wait, I have nothing to say,” Gurung said. “If they are not happy with our party’s work and want Bimal Gurung to step down, he will do so happily.”

Gurung was addressing a gathering of around 5,000 people here, 10km from Kurseong town.

Describing himself as not a leader but “just a medium” for the people to achieve Gorkhaland, the Morcha chief said other political parties had been demanding Gorkhaland for many years. “Can they cite one instance when they had taken a delegation to Delhi and Calcutta to press for a separate state? But our party in just over one year has taken the demand to Delhi and Calcutta. People should realise this and remain united till the demand is met.”

Gurung accused the opposition parties of derailing the statehood movement. “But I am not afraid of them. If they call me uneducated, I have no problem. I have already told you (people) to believe me and I will bring Gorkhaland for you,” Gurung said apparently targeting Madan Tamang, the ABGL president.

Pradeep Pradhan, the Morcha vice-president, asked other parties to join his outfit and work together. “Once the demand is met, we can fight against each other,” he said.