www.thestatesman.net
KALIMPONG, May 26. — The GNLF-C, an anti-Ghisingh front and claimants for the separate state of Gorkhaland, but who had also in the recent past extended its support to Mr Subash Ghisingh in his demand for the Sixth Schedule, have said that the draft for a ‘regional development board’, or Article 371-J should not be acceptable for the Hills of Darjeeling, especially to the GNLF who have been firm about the Sixth Schedule.
Chief convener of the GNLF-C, Col. (retd) DK Pradhan said: “We were happy that finally Mr Ghisingh and the GNLF have matured politically and that they have started to bargain at the higher level. But the draft is a huge failure especially on the part of the GNLF.
“They (GNLF) had hyped much about this so called alternative to the council, but its all back to square one.”
Setting aside the differences shared by both the ruling and the Opposition fronts of the Hills, he stressed the need to demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland on a united front.
“If Mr Ghisingh is true on his claims of statehood, the GNLF(C) also feels the need to shout from a single platform,” he said. It may be noted that the GNLF(C) has been formed in commemoration to the dissident GNLF leader and DGHC executive councillor, the late CK Pradhan.
The Opposition have even accused Mr Ghisingh of throwing gimmicks especially at the time of elections. The CBI inquiry is one among them, the Opposition says.