We don’t support Gorkhaland: BJP

Blames Mamata for unrest as State govt. did not abide by conditions under which GTA was set up

For the first time since violence erupted in Darjeeling hills over the Gorkhaland issue, the BJP has made it clear that it does not support the demand for the State of Gorkhaland.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said “we are not supporters of Gorkhaland.” He also alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was responsible for the unrest in Darjeeling as the West Bengal government had not abided by the stipulations under which the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was set up.

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Brewing discontent

“The GTA was set up to protect the culture of the gorkhas. But the State government neither gave administrative nor financial powers to the GTA, resulting in severe discontent among the gorkhas. Hence, they started the agitation,” said Mr. Vijayvargiya. His comments came at a time when the ruling Trinamool Congress leadership has accused the BJP of tacitly backing the movement.

TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee had earlier accused BJP MP from Darjeeling S.S. Ahluwalia of making remarks which incited unrest in the hills. Earlier this week, BJP State president Dilip Ghosh said his party “does not support such demands based on language or community”.