"Central Government Must Respond Positively by December 5th" - says Bimal

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha rally in #Kurseong yesterday, saw massive participation of its supporters. The rally, which is a part of previously declared program of conducting a series of Public meetings on #Gorkhaland issue, did not seem to be effected by demonetization drive.

Speaking to the people, GJM Chief Bimal Gurung said, "if I wanted to ditch the Gorkhaland demand, I would be rolling in money today... if I wanted to give up on our dreams, I would be Mamata's favourite... but I refused to compromise and I will continue with our struggle for Gorkhaland till my last breath...."

He reminded the people, "when we formed GJM, I had sworn by Mahakal Baba and Sinchel Devi Maa that I won't give up unless Gorkhaland is formed, and I am living that promise..."

Speaking about center's response so far, Mr. Gurung said, "We have repeatedly appraised the Central Government about our demand, recently when I met with Home Minister Rajnath Singh I requested him to form a committee to examine the demand for Gorkhaland at the earliest, he has assured me that he will call for a meeting soon in this regard... we are waiting, and we expect the Central government to respond positively by December 5th... else we are heading to Delhi with our protests... we won't trouble the common people in our region... but we will take our protests to Delhi... the protest can take any form, and I do not rule out an indefinite Hunger Strike as well..."

Taking a dig at former GJM leader Pradip Pradhan, who has now joined TMC, Mr. Gurung said, "The shamelessness of some people has crossed all limits... GTA Sabha removed Pradip Pradhan from the post of Chairman, yet he travels around in a red-beacon fitted vehicle... in what capacity is he travelling thus?"

He added, "some people say Trinmool Congress is spreading in the hills... I refuse to believe that... Yes GNLF is present in the hills... I agree... but not TMC... a political party is comprised of cadres with ideology... what TMC has in the hills is group of addicts, drug pushers, wife beaters and criminals... they don't comprise a political party... so time has come for the people of our region to realize that supporting them is

to burying the demand for Gorkhaland..."

The public meeting was attended by Kurseong MLA Dr Rohit Sharma, GJM Study Forum member P Arjun and all the Kurseong Sabhasads among others.

-TheDC