Mamata calls for keeping Bengal united

Unrest in the hills will be dealt sternly quips CM

Siliguri, Jan 31: Facing an embarrassing situation on the trot for two days in the hills, Mamata Bannerjee,
the Bengal Chief Minister Thursday yet again ruled out division of Bengal with a strong indication to take
stern action if any undemocratic movement would stir in the hills of Darjeeling. The statement from the
Chief Minister comes in at the wake of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha’s call to launch a ‘militant stir’ for
Gorkhaland.

The chief minister ended her four day long Darjeeling tour today although amidst political uproar and
protest. However, before leaving for Kolkata the Chief Minister held a press conference and said, “The
GJM has all the right to make political slogans”.

Asked if she was not aware of that the GJM would raise the issue of Gorkhaland during the inauguration
of the North Bengal Festival in Darjeeling, Bannerjee said it was beyond reach for a leader to keep all the
political cadres under control. “The matter is very small. The issue was blown out of proportion,” the Chief
Minister added, who was infuriated on pro-Gorkhaland slogans the other day in Darjeeling.



“Bengal would remain united. The people in Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars want development and
I challenge to bring smiles among the people in the areas with developments,” she further told the
conference.

Bannerjee who shared an ideal friendship with the GJM after the formation of GTA in the hills hoped that
the party would not resort to undemocratic movement. “Aami kharab kaaj kortey dibona (I will not allow
any bad deeds in the hills),” quipped the CM who is also the Trinamool chief.

Seeking to downplay Mr Gurung's threat of a 'militant' agitation, she said: “We will see when it (agitation)
happens. We took over reins of the state by taking oath as per Constitution. They (GJMM) too are in power
in the GTA by taking oath in accordance with Constitution. This is the spirit of responsibility.”

She said it was the duty of the administration to take both hard and soft stands depending on the situation.
“I will not be defeated in my job. I am born in Bengal, but my motherland is India,” she said.

However, she reminded that the GJM as a political entity could launch a movement and adopt a political
programme. “Everyone loves one's motherland. The GJM has given a slogan (for Gorkhaland). They
always give such slogans and they think that by doing this their party will survive.”

She said that if tourists were not able to come to the hills, the livelihood of the hill people would be at
stake. Trade and commerce would be adversely affected. “Such a situation will not develop. We want that
hill people live here in peace and prosperity,” the chief minister said.

On Gurung's charge that the government was pursuing a “divide and rule” policy for the hills after she
proposed development councils for the Lepchas and Buddhists, she said: “We are for overall development
of Darjeeling. We will not resort to divide and rule and I believe the GJMM will also not go to that extent.”

She added provisions for the council were included in the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) pact
signed among the central and state governments and the GJM. She said her government will also constitute
a Buddhist Council in the hills.

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