West Bengal invites GNLF for talks on Darjeeling

The West Bengal government has accepted the proposal of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) for talks on the Darjeeling stalemate. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told a press conference that the state government accepted the proposal of the GNLF, a constituent of the Gorkhaland Movement Coordination Committee (GMCC), for a dialogue and fixed 29th of this month for the discussion at the state secretariat. However, Ms Banerjee made no mention of the agitation spearhead Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

Miffed with the state government for responding



to GNLF's appeal for talks, GMCC convenor and GJM vice president Kalyan Dewan said, a dialogue can only be successful if the main stake holders of the Gorkhaland movement are invited for talks. He said, GNLF's appeal is nothing but an effort to undermine GJM and GMCC.The GJM-led GMCC comprising of 30 hill parties, including GNLF, is carrying out an indefinite shutdown in Darjeeling for over two and half month. GMCC was formed on 20th June to chalk out the future course of action to achieve the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state.