Gorkhaland Statehood dream nearing reality: Bimal Gurung

DARJEELING : Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief and Gorkha Jana Mukti Morcha (GJMM) supremo, Bimal Gurung said on Thursday that their dream of a separate statehood is close. He added that he has "110% faith" on the words of Prime Mininster (PM) Narendra Modi with regard to the dream of the Gorkhas. "I have 110% faith on the words of the PM. Prior to becoming the PM, during his election campaign, Modi had told us that the dream of the Gorkhas is his dream and I am sure he will keep his word. It is the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government that has made the creation of other small states possible. “The fulfillment of our dream is near," Gurung said while addressing the audience at the 23rd Nepali Bhasha Diwas celebrations in Gorkha Ranga Mancha Bhawan in Darjeeling. 

Gurung had spoken on a similar tone and had said that their dream of achieving a separate state- 'Gorkhaland' is near, on 27 July, while addressing a crowd at the memorial programme commemorating all those who died in course of the Gorkhaland movement in the Darjeeling hills. It may be mentioned that during election campaign in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent waves of hope and encouragement among the people of the Darjeeling hills when he said, "Gorkha ka sapna mera sapna hein (The dream of Gorkhas is my dream)." Notably, the BJP's national manifesto of 2009 and 2014 also said that it will, "sympathetically examine and appropriately consider the long pending demands of the Gorkhas, the Adivasis and other people of the Darjeeling district and the Dooars region." 

On Thursday, Gurung referring to achieving statehood, vaguely said, "Gorkhaland Terrotorial Administration is a test through which we are being examined whether we can run a state or not. In coming days we will be celebrating Nepali Bhasa Diwas in our own state." Meanwhile, former Sikkim MP Vim Dahal, who was present at the programme as chief guest said that Sikkim is always in support of the cause of Gorkhaland. "The CM of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has said me to convey the message that Sikkim is in support of Gorkhaland. The people of Sikkim are with you," he said.