The Statesman

DARJEELING, July 21: With assurances from both UPA chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi and the PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Darjeeling MP Mr Dawa Narbula has decided to cast his vote in favour of the UPA government. “Since the response from both the Congress president and PM is positive I will use my vote to save the government from this crisis”, confirmed Mr. Narbula from Delhi today.

The PM assured the MP that Gorkhaland would certainly feature in the list of smaller states when the next State Re-organisation Commission formed when they met last evening. “The PM like Congress president assured me that Gorkhaland would be added in the list of the next State Re-organisation Commission”, Mr. Narbula said. Arrangements for a tripartite meeting will also be done after the Trust motion takes place tomorrow, he added. The development comes following GJMM’s pressure that the MP should secure a written assurance from the government in favour of Gorkhaland before casting his Trust vote. “I have always raised my voice for Gorkhaland and have also used this opportunity lobby for the Gorkhaland demand. The PM is aware of our plight. He has pledged the Congress party’s and the governments support towards the Hill people”, he said. In Darjeeling, GJMM supporters took out a rally demanding that the MP use his vote to get an assurance for Gorkhaland.