For the first time in about three decades, the demand for separate Gorkhaland state is not a poll issue in the Darjeeling Hills as parties, including the indigenous GJM and GNLF, are stressing on development and restoration of democracy in the region. The statehood demand and implementation of the sixth schedule of the Constitution had been major poll planks in the Hills at various times since the beginning of the protracted Gorkhaland movement in 1986. "It's time we keep aside this (statehood) issue and fight for the development of the people of hills," Deb, who represents Dabgram-Phulbari in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district, said. The reign of terror of the police and the Binay Tamang group has to end," BJP Darjeeling district president Manoj Dewan told PTI. "The issue of Gorkhaland has been deliberately kept aside as this time it is a fight between two GJM factions to establish supremacy in the Hills," said a GJM leader.

Source: dna April 02, 2019 05:15 UTC