www.telegraphindia.com
Kalimpong, April 4: The GNLF(C) today maintained that it did not want the DGHC election to be held in the hills until its demand for Gorkhaland was met.

A press release issued by GNLF (C) chief convener D.K. Pradhan said: “We do not want the hills to go for a poll until the statehood demand is met. This was decided in the central committee meeting held yesterday. The people are not taking any interest in the council poll because of the present political scenario.”

According to Pradhan, the GNLF (C) will work towards achieving Gorkhaland, its main goal. He said like-minded Opposition parties would be contacted to fight for the cause.

Pradhan said Darjeeling MP Dawa Narbula would be requested to take up the matter in Parliament. “We will put the proposal before the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), and continue fighting for our goal with or without its help,” Pradhan said.

The GNLF (C) convener alleged that Ghisingh’s appointment as caretaker of the council had been dramatised. “The decision to make him the caretaker had been taken the minute Ghisingh placed his demand before the government. What followed later was only a drama,” said Pradhan.

“The chief minister for some reason wanted this to happen. I wonder if the Prime Minister and the home minister, too, had anything to do with the decision. The chief minister has claimed that it was the Centre’s decision. But it was a tact to shift the focus from the state to the central government,” alleged Pradhan.