Darjeeling, 20 March: The Darjeeling Dooars United Development Foundation (DDUDF) has rejected Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung’s plea to support BJP candidate in the Hills SS Ahluwalia.
Academic Mahendra P Lama is contesting the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate in the Darjeeling constituency under the banner of the DDUDF.
In a press release issued here today, Mr Lama has instead appealed to the GJMM chief to support him in the upcoming polls.
In his Facebook page, Mr Gurung yesterday appealed to Mr Lama to support the GJMM-backed BJP candidate for a greater cause of Gorkhaland and to hold talks with him on the matter.
"Considering the swelling support and overwhelming response to the candidature of Prof Lama all across the hills and the plains and the latest turn of political events, the DDUDF instead requests the GJMM leadership to support the independent candidature of Prof Lama.
“This support should be unconditional and must be in writing," the press release signed by
DDUDF spokesperson P Arjun said.
In the Facebook post, Mr Gurung had said that this year's Lok Sabha election is clearly divided between those who are supporting Gorkhaland and those against it.
“The BJP is expected to come to power (at the Centre) and they have already decided to support our cause," he had
said.
Mr Arjun, however, said: "Since the GJMM, on several occasions, has taken a very suspicious stand on the most vital and critical issue of a separate state of Gorkhaland, the DDUDF feels that the GJMM lacks clarity and has been all along maintaining an ambiguous stand on the statehood issue."
According to sources, the DDUDF has put forth some preconditions for Mr Lama to hold talks with Mr Gurung.
“The GJMM will withdraw the support extended to BJP and its candidate for the Darjeeling parliamentary constituency before the filing of nominations and the agenda for the meeting and talks with the GJMM will be decided beforehand and made public," the DDUDF press release said.(SNS)
Academic Mahendra P Lama is contesting the Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate in the Darjeeling constituency under the banner of the DDUDF.
In a press release issued here today, Mr Lama has instead appealed to the GJMM chief to support him in the upcoming polls.
In his Facebook page, Mr Gurung yesterday appealed to Mr Lama to support the GJMM-backed BJP candidate for a greater cause of Gorkhaland and to hold talks with him on the matter.
"Considering the swelling support and overwhelming response to the candidature of Prof Lama all across the hills and the plains and the latest turn of political events, the DDUDF instead requests the GJMM leadership to support the independent candidature of Prof Lama.
“This support should be unconditional and must be in writing," the press release signed by
DDUDF spokesperson P Arjun said.
In the Facebook post, Mr Gurung had said that this year's Lok Sabha election is clearly divided between those who are supporting Gorkhaland and those against it.
“The BJP is expected to come to power (at the Centre) and they have already decided to support our cause," he had
said.
Mr Arjun, however, said: "Since the GJMM, on several occasions, has taken a very suspicious stand on the most vital and critical issue of a separate state of Gorkhaland, the DDUDF feels that the GJMM lacks clarity and has been all along maintaining an ambiguous stand on the statehood issue."
According to sources, the DDUDF has put forth some preconditions for Mr Lama to hold talks with Mr Gurung.
“The GJMM will withdraw the support extended to BJP and its candidate for the Darjeeling parliamentary constituency before the filing of nominations and the agenda for the meeting and talks with the GJMM will be decided beforehand and made public," the DDUDF press release said.(SNS)