BJP and GJM to finalize future course of action in Darjeeling

SILIGURI: BJP is keen on expressing its continuing bond with its friend in West Bengal, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM). The party has not yet finalised its stand on the future course of movement by the GJM on its demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.
"We support GJM���s stand on Lalgarh. We appreciate imposition of ban on the Maoists in India. But, condemn the state government sponsored atrocities through the police on the poor innocent people in Lalgarh in the name of Maoists," said BJP national spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

"At the same time, we have definite proof of other organizations being very friendly with the Maoists. We want specificaction against them too," said Mr Rudy. He, however, refused to name these "other organizations". It may be mentioned the GJM had expressed its solidarity with Chatradhar Mahato earlier. When asked about their stand on Mr Mahato now, while Mr Giri and Mr Rudy refused to come up with any comments, GJM spokesman Binoy Tamang said, "He is being accused. As long as these accusations were not conclusively proved, we would continue supporting his demands for water, health and education for the common people in Lalgarh areas."

Mr Rudy arrived in Darjeeling on Tuesday as "representative" of MP Jaswant Singh. Expecting BJP to win at the national level in the last Lok Sabha elections, GJM supported Mr Singh and gifted him with a thumping win. But, with BJP sitting in the opposition in Delhi now, the GJM has realised the changed situation and has started gearing up for another phase of aggressive movement in addition to its continuing non- cooperation with the state government in the hills. If the movement begins in the form of an indefinite bandh, as has been learnt, the chaotic outcome of that would be labeled as sponsored by the BJP and would be hard for the BJP to digest at the national level.

"We are meeting on Wednesday at Darjeeling to finalize the future course of action. Till then, no comments on the Darjeeling issue," said Mr Rudy.