CPRM rally to renew state stir

 TT; Darjeeling, Oct. 1: The ripples of the renewed agitation for Telangana have reached the Darjeeling hills with the CPRM deciding to hold a series of meetings and rallies from tomorrow to press for the creation of Gorkhaland. Arun Ghatani, the general secretary of the Democratic Revolutionary Youth Front, the youth wing of the CPRM, today said: “We have decided to renew the Gorkhaland agitation.

 Although we had planned the movement in advance, the agitation launched by the pro-Telangana activists yesterday compelled us to go in for a sustained campaign.” The CPRM, a major party opposed to the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, will take out a rally of more than 100 bikes and four-wheelers from Kurseong tomorrow. 

“The rally will begin at Kurseong Motor Stand at 9am tomorrow and on its way to Darjeeling, leaders will address people at various points. Once we reach Darjeeling, we will hold a public meeting,” said Ghatani. After the public meeting, the rally will proceed to Kalijhora tomorrow evening. “On Wednesday, we will set out for Gorubathan and take the Lava route to reach Kalimpong the same day. 

The first phase of the agitation will conclude with a public meeting at Damber Chowk in Kalimpong on Wednesday,” said Ghatani. The CPRM has also lined up a slew of other campaigns that will follow the Kalimpong event, but the details haven’t been made public yet. Observers, believe, the CPRM is confident that any development on the Telangana issue has the potential of drawing large crowds in the hills.

 “The CPRM has made a head start to ensure that it is in the forefront of any agitation if there are positive developments on the Telangana issue. Even the Morcha, which has settled for the GTA, will be forced to make appropriate noises if the Centre takes any step for the formation of the Telangana state,” said an observer. 

The Morcha has not issued any statement on the Telangana movement and this is largely because party president Bimal Gurung is tied up till October 6 for religious rites after his father’s demise. Sources, however, said the Morcha had decided to go ahead with its foundation day celebration on October 7 and depending on the shape the Telangana movement takes, the party is likely to make its plans clear during the celebration.