The West Bengal Government will not dissolve the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), the autonomous hill council formed to look into the development of Darjeeling.
If required, the State Government will take “stern action” to ensure peace in the hills, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Wednesday while ruling out separation of Darjeeling from the State. “We are keeping an eye on the development. And will take every necessary action to maintain peace in the region,” she said, adding that “GTA will not be dissolved”. Her comments came in the wake of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s (GJM) renewed agitation for separate statehood.
GJM chief Bimal Gurung resigned from the council on Tuesday, citing “interference” from the West Bengal Government as the reason for its failure. According to the Chief Minister, Gurung’s resignation has been accepted.
An indefinite strike has also been called in the hills (from Saturday). In an oblique reference to Gurung and the GJM, Banerjee said whimsical calling of bandh and shutdown, causing discomfort to thousands of tourists, students and the tourism dependent trade and commerce of Darjeeling, would not be tolerated. She also criticised the decision to quit the GTA, which was formed in 2012.
Lawful Existence
“The GTA came up in accordance with a tripartite agreement between the Centre, State and GJM. Set procedures that included elections were held to form the hill council,” Banerjee said. Other modalities relating to the ambit and functioning of the council was being worked out. According to Banerjee, the State Government is keen on carrying out development projects in Darjeeling. A host of initiatives that include building new roads and laying water pipelines and setting up drinking water projects have already been taken up.
Banerjee also lambasted reports where some Central leaders had assured GJM leaders of granting Darjeeling a Union Territory status. She said such a status was not possible without the State Government’s consent.
Quoting one of her Facebook posts, Banerjee maintained that the State Government was opposed to the separation of Darjeeling.
“Darjeeling will remain a part of Bengal,” she said, adding that it is also the Centre's responsibility to maintain peace in the region.
Divisive politics
She further the Congress-led UPA-II’s decision to endorse Telangana was “divisive politics” done with the purpose of garnering more votes ahead of the general elections in 2014.
Done with “political vendetta”, the decision jeopardised “Constitutional obligations”.
“Why has the decision (to form Telangana) been taken before the general elections? I condemn this attitude and am shocked at the decision,” the Chief Minister said.