Commitment to talks crucial to solving Gorkhaland issue: Aiyar

Congress MP and former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today said that Centre should show more "conviction" and persistently remain committed to the dialogue process in order to find a solution to the Gorkhaland issue.
Speaking at a conference on Gorkhaland and the demand for smaller states, he said, "I see no reason at all why we cannot consider any outstanding matter through persistent dialogue... Over a period of time, we work out how far we can narrow the differences."
Following the Centre's nod for a separate Telangana state carved out of Andhra Pradesh, the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state has been espoused with vigour.

Aiyar also partly blamed Congress for not understanding the Gorkha sentiments, but added that the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had tried to address the issue during his tenure.
"Between 1907 to 1947, we should not hold Congress responsible. In more recent times, after 1947, it is Congress which... Is highly responsible," he said.
Stressing on the issue of identity, Darjeeling MP and BJP leader Jaswant Singh said, "Gorkhas have never been amalgamated with the rest of the country."

Both Singh and Aiyar blamed West Bengal government for neglecting Darjeeling.
"It was recognised that there was a sense of alienation among Indian gorkhas. But the sense of alienation was from Bengal, not the Government of India," Aiyar said.

Criticising the WB government for the current state of Darjeeling, Singh said, "Darjeeling has been neglected for the past 36 years... Neglected so badly, it is now over-crowded, unplanned.
"Areas of Darjeeling have turned into virtual slums. For this, it is principally the Bengal government and particularly the third front government (which is responsible)."
Meanwhile, while opposing the concept of statehood for Darjeeling, former Union home secretary RK Singh, who was also present at the conference, suggested that a separate finance commission for Darjeeling could be formed to secure fair allocation of resources.