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| Mamata Banerjee in Kalimpong on Friday. Picture by Sanat Kumar Sinha |
Arnab Ganguly, TT, Kalimpong, July 13: Mamata Banerjee today held a brief meeting with Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung after which both leaders spoke of promoting peace in the hills.
The Bengal chief minister, here to attend a programme to commemorate the 198th birth anniversary of the Nepali poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, interacted with Morcha leaders.
Later on, she had a 30-minute meeting with Gurung, after which Mamata said: “I am happy that the GTA election is happening. Once the elections are over, the Centre will release Rs 200 crore. I don’t want to see bad roads. All of us will work together. There will be no problem.”
The chief minister said though she had no time to go to other places or even for her own party, she would keep visiting the hills, if required “a thousand times”. “I don’t come to occupy your land or for politics. I haven’t come here to campaign for my party. If I don’t come then there would be no development. People get to know of these places because I come here,” she said.
Gurung said: “There were misunderstandings on certain issues but the air has been cleared now. We are committed to work with the government for the development of the hills.”
Mamata also announced projects drawn up for the hills, such as a Lepcha development council, a Nepali academy at Mungpoo and a cultural centre at Darjeeling.
Later today, she wrote on Facebook: “Today is a very special day for Darjeeling. We celebrated the 198th birth anniversary of Nepali Adi Kobi Sri Bhanu Bhakt. It is also an important day as after so many years, new members got elected in a democratic process as per the agreement of GTA…. I congratulate all of them for their participation in democratic process.”
We will work with GTA: Mamata
TH, KOLKATA, July 13, 2012: The West Bengal government will work with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) once it is set up, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in Kalimpong on Friday, after meeting Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) president, Bimal Gurung, who could head the new autonomous body.
GJM is all set to take control of GTA, with 28 of its candidates, including Mr. Gurung, being elected unopposed in the July 29 elections. The body is to have 45 elected members.
“The State government is always with them [the GJM]. The Trinamool Congress will also extend support to them,” Ms. Banerjee said, adding that the discussions with Mr. Gurung had been very good.
She expressed satisfaction that things seemed to be on course as far as setting up of GTA was concerned. “Everything is proceeding according to the schedule. The situation is good and hence we are very happy.”
“What stood between us so far was sorted out today. As for the odd outstanding issues, we can always raise them with her, as she [Ms. Banerjee] is our mother,” Mr. Gurung said.
Ms. Banerjee said that after GJM takes control of GTA, development work in the region would begin. “I think they (the GJM) can do a better service to the Darjeeling hills.”
“We want Darjeeling to be very peaceful and very good, and we want it to become the number one destination in the international tourist map,” she added.
Asked by journalists what the priorities of development are, after GTA is formed, the Chief Minister said: “They [GJM] will prepare a plan of action. They want schools, college universities, and tourism, and surely we will give our assistance.”
GTA would be provided funds worth Rs. 200 crore, after being constituted as per the GTA agreement, Ms. Banerjee pointed out, adding that she has been urging the Centre to include Darjeeling district in the list of undeveloped districts.
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