Like Ladakh, UT without legislature will not serve the aspiration of people : BJP MLA on Gorkhaland talks

Union Home Ministry resumes dialogue with Gorkha representatives after three years, addressing Gorkhaland and ST status issues.

The Union Home Ministry (MHA) resumed dialogue with Gorkha representatives after a gap of more than three years to address the issues concerning the community. The Chief Secretary of West Bengal did not turn up for the scheduled “tripartite meeting”.

In the meeting chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, the delegation which included the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Darjeeling, Raju Bista, demanded a permanent solution to the Gorkhaland (separate State for Gorkhas) issue and grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to 11 Gorkha sub-communities.

The Ministry said that Mr. Bista highlighted various issues related to Gorkhas and the region and sought early resolution of the problems.

BJP MLA from Darjeeling Neeraj Zimba told The Hindu that the meeting was productive but not conclusive.

“The patriotic Gorkhas have been denied political justice under the previous governments. The State of West Bengal has marginalised us, by encroaching our land, alienation of language, culture. It is the Central government that we have expectations from,” Mr. Zimba said.

He added that the BJP endorsed creation of Gorkhaland in its election manifestos in 2009, 2014 and 2019.

When asked if a Union Territory (UT)-like arrangement was on the cards, Mr. Zimba said, “A UT without legislative assembly will not fulfil the aspirations of the people, like what has happened in Ladakh. Our aspiration is a separate homeland but considering all aspects of national security and national political interests. The process of dialogue should end and there should be an outcome now within the framework of the Constitution,” Mr. Zimba said.