GNLF joint secretary, spokesperson joins Morcha, 25 families in Mirik extend support to GJMM

Darjeeling, Sept. 17: A joint secretary and spokesperson of the GNLF, Lhaadup Ghisingh, joined the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) at Patlabas here today.

Twenty-five families supporting the GNLF also joined Bimal Gurung’s party today.

“We have joined the Morcha on free will. We are only raising slogans regarding unity of Gorkhas in rallies and political meetings but in reality, we are not united. Instead of fighting among ourselves, we must be united,” Lhaadup said. “I think we wasted our time with the GNLF.”

GNLF chief Subash Ghisingh returned to the hills before the Lok Sabha polls but he remained largely aloof. He had directed his supporters to hold rallies every Sunday to demand “restoration of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council until the Sixth Schedule status is conferred to the hills.” The rallies are being held since July.

Few months ago, Tshering Dahal, a senior GNLF leader had joined the Morcha.

GNLF convener, Darjeeling branch committee, M.G. Subba, said: “Lhaadup’s decision will not affect the GNLF. In fact, if people like Lhaadup leave the party, better people will come to GNLF and that will strengthen our party. He (Lhaadup) always had an inclination of going (out of the party).”(TT)

25 families in Mirik leave GNLF, to extend support to GJMM

Around twenty five families from Mirik who were the former supporters of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) today joined the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM) in the presence of Hills preponderant political leader, Bimal Gurung.
The Terai convener of the party, Tshering Dahal who recently joined the GJMM from GNLF today handed over the party flags to the newly joined members. One of the member, Ladup Ghising, who switched the party today said: "We joined the GJMM today for solidarity (for the Gorkhaland movement)." 
Mr Ladup is known to be one of the former leaders of the GNLF.  After the session of handing flags, Mr Gurung said: "I don't object if Hill people hang flags of other regional Hill parties in their houses, but it is disheartening to see the Gorkhas hanging flags of parties like Trinamul Congress or CPIM who are who are opposed to the idea of Gorkhaland."
He further expressed his resentment over the faction of Lepcha community of the Hills accepting the development board~ Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board by Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee.
"They fell prey into Mamata Banerjee's trick of divide and rule with the Gorkha Community. They should not have accepted it," Mr Gurung said.
Such a statement from Mr Gurung comes at at time when the party has announced to pledge dharna and public meeting at Delhi with the statehood demand and called for cultural unity in the Hills. Meanwhile, Mr Gurung said he is likely to visit Pashupatinath temple, one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Kathmandu in Nepal on 22 September. (sns)