Gorkhaland: Ahluwalia may support but not Bengal BJP

Kolkata, March 20: A day after

nominee for the Darjeeling LS seat S S Ahluwalia voiced his support in favour of a separate state of

, BJP leader Tathagatha Ray today said the party's state unit is not in its favour and Ahluwalia's comment was blown out of context.

"We, the West Bengal BJP unit, is not in favour of a separate state of Gorkhaland. Yes, BJP as a party is in favour of smaller states for better development. But not in case of Darjeeling, as it has only three sub-divisions and there are other issues too," Ray said.

BJP candidate from Darjeeling SS Ahluwalia recently backed the Gorkhaland demand

BJP vice-president and nominee for the Darjeeling LS seat, S S Ahluwalia yesterday voiced support for formation of a separate state of Gorkhaland. "BJP has always supported creation of smaller states like Jharkhand and Chattisgarh and was in favour of Telangana, so Gorkhaland should also be formed," Ahluwalia had said.

Claiming that the demand for a separate Hill state was not against the Constitution, Ahluwalia had said the BJP alone would be capable to form the next government at the Centre. "Yes S S Ahluwalia has said that demand for a separate state is not against the Constitution. It is right. But his comments have been blown out of context. We feel the Hills issue should be dealt in a compassionate manner," Ray added.

PTI