Centre not to intervene directly into Gorkhaland issue

The Centre was not in favour of intervening directly into the Gorkhaland issue, but would rather like to extend all help to the state government to maintain the territorial integrity of West Bengal, Union Information and Broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi said on Sunday evening.

The Centre was not in favour of intervening directly now since there are constitutional obligations in this regard but was willing to extend all help to the state government in resolving the problem arising out of GJM’s agitation for Gorkhaland in the Darjeeling Hills, Das Munshi told reporters after addressing a Congress rally in Mekhliganj.

The WBPCC President said though the Congress did have political differences with the CPM, that would not come in the way of protecting the state’s territorial integrity.

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“The Congress is not in favour of any further division of Bengal,” he asserted.

Das Munshi came to Mekhliganj to campaign for the Congress candidates for the ensuing municipal election in the area.

The central minister alleged the left front government failed to use funds for development schemes in different municipalities including Mekhliganj.