GJM MLAs to sit in Opposition in House

Blow All India Gorkha League quits joint action committee over GTA

Three MLAs of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) would sit in the Opposition in the Assembly as a mark of protest against the state governments attempt to suppress the movement for a separate state,the party wrote to the Assembly Speaker today.

The decision,a clear indication of snapping of all political ties with the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state,comes before the GJMs five-day agitation programme that starts August 19 and even as All India Gorkha League walked out of the newly formed Gorkha Joint Action Committee (GJAC).

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said,We have written to the Speaker of the Legislative assembly,stating that our three MLAs Harka Bahadur Chhetri,T K Dewan and Rohit Sharma would not sit with the MLAs of the ruling party,and that from the next session onward they would join the opposition party.

Story continues below this ad

We have taken the decision in protest against the governments concerted attempts to crush our democratic movement for Gorkhaland, added Giri.

The GJM has three MLAs,who represent Darjeeling,Kalimpong and Kurseong Assembly segments in the state.

The government,however,continued to crack down on the Morcha leaders and workers.

In a night-long raid,26 GJM workers were arrested. Eleven more persons were arrested in pending cases,too.

Story continues below this ad

Meanwhile,the All India Gorkha League announced not to be a part of the GJAC until the Gorkha Territorial Administration was scrapped.

We will not join the joint action committee and we would not be a part of the movement led by the committee until the all GJM members resign from the post of GTA sabhasads. It is not possible and practical to lead a movement while being a part of a body formed by the government, said Prakash Khati,secretary,AIGL.

The GJAC will hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss the issue.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram