Following the NDA meeting, Darjeeling MP S S Ahaluwalia has said “The BJP leaders understand that formation of Gorkhaland should not be denied anymore and is being conceptualized already… Indeed it will take time, and will not happen overnight, but all the BJP leaders are agreeable to forming Gorkhaland and that is a huge step forward.”
Speaking to the Nepali daily Himalaya Darpan from Delhi he has said, “See Narendra Modi Ji is yet to take charge, we are yet to form our cabinet and the government is yet to take stock of all the issues… but in principle the BJP supports smaller states and once our Government becomes smooth and functioning, the dream of the Gorkhas will become a reality.”
Furthermore he said, “Formation of a new state is indeed a major issue and there will be numerous legal and political hurdles to cross, but in addition to a new state, there are imminent issues that people of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars face and thuse need to be addressed more urgently… the people in the tea gardens of Dooars are suffering, the cinchona plantations are in doldrums, infrastructure-tourism, education and almost all other sectors and issues need to be addressed… and we will address all these issues.”
Taking pot-shots at the opposition parties in Darjeeling, he said, “opposition parties doubt our intentions, and to them I want to say, Gorkhaland issue has picked up steam amongst BJP leaders and earlier Gorkhaland issues was confined up to the Minister level, today Gorkhaland is an issue about which the Prime Minister designate of India is very aware… even Modi Ji has said, “your dreams are our dreams”… Gorkhaland issue is progressing in the right direction… but I request people to be patient… this is going to be a long process for which all of us need to work together.”
Thanking the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and its chief Bimal Gurung Official, Shri S S Ahaluwalia said, “I give credit to Bimal Ji it is through his efforts that the Gorkhaland issue has gained national and international significance.”
The GJM team under the leadership of its Chief Bimal Gurung Official is currently in Delhi and yesterday it met BJP National General Secretary – Ram Lal Ji, who said that he is very aware of the Gorkhaland issue and reposed faith that the Modi government will resolve the issue as early as possible.
[ With Inputs: Himalaya Darpan Bureau,
In Pic:
1. Bimal Gurung shaking hands with Narendra Modi while Darjeeling MP S S Ahaluwalia looks on (top right, behind Nitin Gadhkari)
2. GJM team meeting BJP Gen Sec Ram Lal Ji
3. File Pic of Shri S S Ahaluwalia attending a BJP meeting ]
Source: DT
