GTA demarcation shelters GJM’s vested needs, alleges Taramani Rai

 Sunday, June 03, 2012

 MUKESH SHARMA KALIMPONG, June 02: TARAMANI RAI Demarcation under the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) being an imperative issue has now become the most discussed topic in the hills. Either the political figures or the general public, every individual can barely rest talking about it whether in positive or in negative aspects. Commenting on this regard, the Central Communist Part of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) Vice President, Taramani Rai alleged that the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has done the demarcation looking at the political gains rather than Administrative convenience. If the Morcha was giving priority to the Administration then it would have first consulted and taken the view points of all the other parties in the hills and would make a draft listing the complaints and suggestions given to it. Instead, the Morcha hurriedly released the notice of demarcation of 45 Constituencies without consulting anybody, complained Rai. He also charged that the Constituencies have been demarcated after taking into account the personal needs of the politicians under each Constituency. 

Giving the example of the rift among the Highway Block Committee and the recent suspension order of the Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha (GJYM) Executive member, Bishal Rai by the GJM, Rai blamed that the Morcha is finding ways to oppress those who are voicing against the demarcation. Likewise, the Central CPRM Vice President adding that people are protesting against the demarcation mentioned, that remonstrance is at its peak at Gorubathan. Rai, recommended the Morcha to see above political gains and instead respect the wishes of the people. “The Morcha Chief, who once used to repeatedly state that GTA elections shall not be conducted without Terai- Dooars inclusion is now saying that the elections shall happen only in the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) area”, asserted Rai. Further, he notified that GTA laws have been made under which it is clearly mentioned that there is administrative arrangement for the allocated 45 seats. Since the seats have been allocated in the hills, now does the High Power Committee report hold any meaning? And from where will the seats be increased or added if the report is for the Terai Dooars inclusion? Questioned the anxious politician. Tagging the High Power Committee’s report as ‘Match Fixing’, Rai again alleged that the Morcha’s statement about the High Power Committee’s report to be the ultimate decision and both the Morcha and the State needs to abide by it, proves that the decision has already been fixed.Stating that the Gurung’s GTA is no less that Ghising’s DGHC, Rai asserted that it’s high time that the public needs to voice against it. Lastly, informing that the Morcha Chief is expending huge amount of money at Cedars for its development, he said that CPRM had complained about this activity to the District Magistrate (DM). But now the GJM President is threatening the CPRM Party workers, he added. “Neither is he the MLA nor the Councilor of that area still he has been distributing money and tin sheets to the public there”, concluded Rai.