GJM demands separate statehood

Image
Press Trust of India Kolkata
Last Updated : Jan 20 2013 | 9:08 PM IST

"I have received a letter from them (GJM) today. I am not taking a decision right now. Let me talk to my colleagues first," Bhattacharjee told reporters. Ruling out an all-party meeting as demanded by Union minister Priyaranjan Dasmushi, he said "I am not thinking of an all-party meeting before I talk to them (GJM)."

GJM president Bimal Gurung had told a massive rally at Siliguri on May 7 that it would achieve Gorkhaland by 2010 following Mahatma Gandhi's path of non-violence. Stressing that peace was necessary for the development of Darjeeling hills, Bhattacharjee said "There is no question of division of West Bengal."

To another query, he said the victory of Maoists in Nepal was welcome because they had joined the mainstream of politics, but the case of Maoists in the country was different. "Here in West Bengal, they operate in pockets of Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapur districts from adjoining Jharkhand," he said.

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: May 09 2008 | 6:59 PM IST

Next Story