Mamata's open challenge to GJM,Says ‘The Hills are Ours’ – Bimal Gurung is not a King

Kalimpong,3rd sept: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has thrown and open challenge to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leadership saying that Gorkhaland is not possible and that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) is the only alternative. Addressing a huge gathering at Kalimpong on the occasion of a felicitation programme organised by the Indigenous Tribal Lepcha Association (ITLA), she said that the GJM President Bimal Gurung was acting like a King. She said,”It used to happen during the days of the Kings that people were asked to remain inside their house our outside based upon the mood swing of the King. Bimal Gurung is not a King, he cannot treat the people of the hills as his subject. He is raising the issue of the identity of the Gorkhas. It has already been solved by the application of the term Gorkhaland in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Everything has been given to the people through the GTA. A lot can be done for the hills through the GTA but these leaders are getting greedy. And because of their greed and hunger for power they are forcing the people into oblivion. While the poor sleeps hungry the leaders are enjoying, while the poor have no means to visit a hospital or the doctors, the leaders are commuting in their expensive vehicles escorted by motorcade of paid cadres. Darjeeling is ours! Kalimpong is ours! Mirik is ours! Kurseong is ours! This entire Hills, this entire region is ours! It does not belong to one single community, one single people it belongs to all who loves it. There are those who wants to for themselves, we cannot let that happen.”

Banerjee also called upon the GJM to withdraw the strike and work towards the development of the Hills through the GTA. “GTA has all the essential departments needed for the development of the Hills. At this very moment 300 crores remain underutilized. Use this for the betterment of the people.”

Ultimately, Banerjee said that the Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board (MLLDB) will herald a new era of development for the Lepcha people. She wished them the best and pledged her support towards the same.

Source: The Himalayan beacon