Darjeeling responded on Chamling remarks

Darjeeling: During a UPA meeting in New Delhi on 21 March, Sikkim chief minister Dr Pawan Kumar Chamling has urged the Centre to create the separate state for Darjeeling districts as the hill people are historically, economically, culturally and with regards to religion different from the rest of Bengal and separate state for this regions is century old demand of Darjeeling people.

The CM also stressed on the need for creation of National Committee on Hill and Mountain Development, to address the needs and issues of the hill states.

He also suggested that a second State Reorganisation Committee be constituted to look into the issue of creation of new and smaller states.

This news has been widely reported in the local media. However, GNLF has not yet issued any official statement on Chamling’s stand. But Opposition parties in the hills have been quick to respond.

Madan Tamang, president of Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha-League, has already sent a letter to Chamling, stating that: “The ABGL is grateful to you for having strongly raised and justified the demand for a separate state during the UPA meeting.” The comments on the issue by CM have boosted the moral of ABGL, who has long been demanding the separate state.

The CPRM general secretary, R.B. Rai, also thanked the Sikkim chief minister on behalf of people of Darjeeling. Dr. Chamling always said during his ‘apolitical’ visit to Darjeeling that Darjeeling and Sikkim have the relationship of blood and often voiced his support for Gorkhaland.

Meanwhile, Mr. R Moktan, president of Sikkim National Front, has raised his doubt that Chamling’s demand is just a ploy to silence the clamour for a merger of Darjeeling with Sikkim. People of Darjeeling should wait and watch the sincere efforts of Chamling in this regard, rather than believe him blindly.

The Gorkha Rastriya Congress president, Mr. D K Bamjan also welcome the Chamling’s recent comments and suggested to work towards the greater Sikkim by merging Sikkim and Darjeeling, the only way to unite stronger Gorkha community in India.