He later reiterated the withdrawal of false cases, filed by the Trinamul Congress government, on them.
Kolkata: Assuring the Gorkhas at Darjeeling in West Bengal of fulfilling their long-standing demand for Gorkhaland, Union home minister Amit Shah made clear on Tuesday that a “solution” for the hill community would be a reality within six months of BJP forming government after winning the Assembly polls. Shah, who addressed a poll campaign rally at Kurseong, also asserted that Union home ministry's interlocutor, Pankaj Kumar Singh, a retired IPS officer, would prepare a report after finishing his talks with all the Gorkha organisations and the state government.
Shah sprang a surprise stating that names of some Gorkhas, which had been deleted in the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR), would be added to the voters list after the polls. He later reiterated the withdrawal of false cases, filed by the Trinamul Congress government, on them.
Shah said, “We will find such a solution which will bring smiles on the face of all Gorkhas within six months of BJP forming government here. Congress and TMC did injustice to Darjeeling and Gorkhas earlier. I have been visiting here for nine years. But I promise you today I will solve the decade-old issue of the Gorkhas according to their wish.” He added, “I understand you and your problems. Except BJP, no one can solve your problems.”
Attacking TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Shah alleged, “Gorkhas have a rich history. But Mamata Didi tried to destroy it. I called meetings three times in the last six years after becoming union home minister to solve the Gorkha issue. But Mamata’s representatives never attended it.”
He claimed, “We however aren't dependent on you to solve it. We have sent an interlocutor here after you didn't visit Delhi for meetings. The interlocutor meets all Gorkha organisations and state government officials. He will prepare a report. As soon as BJP forms government, we will provide the solution which has been in the minds of the Gorkhas for long.”
Referring to deletion of voters' names in Darjeeling, the Union home minister observed, “In the SIR process, the collector of Mamata Didi excluded some Gorkhas' names. No issues! After winning this time, BJP will restore those names in the voters' list.” He informed that a probe would be conducted into the scam under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in the hills.
Drawing a comparison of budgetary allocation, Shah pointed out that around Rs 2,000 crores have been earmarked by the TMC government for welfare and development of the Gorkhas and other tribal communities in North Bengal while the figure grew to Rs 5,000 crores for the same purpose of Muslims and Madrasah education.
