A senior Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader on Sunday resigned from the party “in protest against” the murder of All India Gorkha League chief Madan Tamang but the GJM sought to downplay the issue saying he was not a “direct” member.
“I have already sent my resignation letter to party chief Bimal Gurung in protest against the killing of Tamang in broad daylight in Darjeeling on May 21,” Anmol Prasad, who represented GJM in the first four rounds of tripartite talks, told PTI.
He said the killing took place at a time when GJM was spearheading its movement for a settlement to the issue.
“But most unfortunately, people at large have now started believing in the Morcha’s hand behind the murder,” Mr. Prasad claimed.
When asked if he was going to float another political party, Mr. Prasad said “basically I am not a politician. I have supported GJM for a democratic movement to achieve Gorkhaland.”
In an apparent bid to downplay the issue, GJM assistant general secretary Binoy Tamang said that Mr. Prasad was not “a direct member” of the party and he was just heading a study forum affiliated to it.
“We are yet to get the details for making further comments on this issue,” Binoy Tamang said.
