Darjeeling all-party meet approves statehood demand

Darjeeling, Jun 17 (UNI) The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) sponsored all-party meeting held here today unanimously decided to continue their agitation until the governments conceded to their demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.

GJM president Bimal Gurung told reporters that the leaders of 13 parties, operating in the hills, had attended the meeting.

He said all the leaders had agreed that the statehood demand was a constitutional right and urged the Centre to intervene immediately to end the impasse.

Among others attending the meeting were the GJM, Congress, GNLF(C), ABGL, Indian Union of Muslim League, CPRM, BJP, TMC, Sikkim National Front, Gorkha Rashtriya Congress, Gorkha Kishan and former CPI MLA Mohan Singh Rai, Mr Gurung also said.

He said the meeting also resolved to urge the Centre to convene a tripartite meeting in New Delhi soon, adding, Darjeeling will be represented by all the party delegations in the tripartite meet.

Political pundits here said the Darjeeling meet, hours ahead of the West Bengal Government - sponsored meeting in Kolkata, impacted a new political dimension between the hills and plains over the statehood demand.

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