Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday ruled out division of her state, even as life in the Darjeeling Hills remained paralysed for the third day in response to a shutdown called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) demanding the creation of ‘Gorkhaland’.
A day after the Congress Working Committee and the United Progressive Alliance approved the carving out of Telangana from Andhra Pradesh, the GJM announced it will call on Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to press for the creation of a separate state of ‘Gorkhaland’ in north Bengal.
The GJM wants parts of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts of northern West Bengal to be made part of the proposed Gorkhaland.
The GJM launched an indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling Hills from Saturday while its chief Bimal Gurung on Tuesday resigned as the chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) — an autonomous and elected hill development council. But Banerjee said there was no question of dissolving the GTA or dividing the state.
“There is no question of dissolving the GTA. It was formed through a tripartite agreement. Moreover, the GJM had agreed to it. The elections to the GTA were duly held and its representatives elected and the hill council had started functioning,” said Banerjee, adding “Darjeeling is part and parcel of Bengal...There is no question of division”.
Attacking the Congress on the Telangana issue, Banerjee said it smacked off “divisive politics”.
“I am not averse to Telangana, it is their prerogative. But what if other states start making similar demands? Will the Congress allow all these demands and break the country into pieces? It is most unfortunate for the country when those who have responsibility behave irresponsibly,”
Banerjee said.
“Why has this decision been taken at a time when the general elections are approaching? The Congress, in its manifesto five years back, had committed Telangana formation, but why has this decision been taken now when the elections are knocking on the doors? Simply because it will add a few more seats?” she said. “I condemn this attitude and am shocked at the decision. For political purpose and vendetta, our constitutional obligations should not be jeopardised.”
IANS
