Shah Slams Didi For avoiding Centre's Meets, Interlocutor On Gorkhaland
In an oblique reference to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung and his followers who have sided with the BJP again, Mr Shah also announced that all the “false” cases, which were filed by the police against them during the Trinamul Congress-rule in the last 15 years, would be dropped.
Kolkata: Accusing West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of repeatedly avoiding meetings with the Centre and its interlocutor, Pankaj Kumar Singh, to resolve the Gorkhaland issue in Darjeeling, Union home minister Amit Shah made it clear on Wednesday that a solution to the agenda under a “constitutional framework” would be a priority of the BJP after coming to power here in this Assembly election.
In an oblique reference to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung and his followers, who have sided with the BJP again, Mr Shah also announced all the “false” cases, which were filed by the police against them during Trinamul Congress rule in the past 15 years would be dropped. Mr Shah made the claims in a video message from Malda in North Bengal to the Gorkhas in a bid to woo them after bad weather conditions did not allow his helicopter to fly him to Lebong in the morning to address a poll campaign rally.
He said: “There will certainly be a solution to the Gorkhas’ problems. I tried to solve it many times as the Union home minister. I have convened three meetings in the last one and half years. But neither Mamata Didi nor any of her representatives came to Delhi. Fed up with her lethargy, I preferred to come here. An interlocutor was appointed. He is speaking to all. He also tried to talk to Mamata Didi and her government.”
Mr Shah alleged: “But she did not give him time because she does not want Gorkhas, who reside in the hills and are true patriots, to get justice and their rights. But you should not worry about it. It will be the priority of the BJP, after forming its government on May 5, to solve the Gorkhas’ problem under a constitutional framework.”
Sending a message to Mr Gurung, who was present at the BJP rally, the Union home minister added: “There will be an end to the police raj that has been established by filing false cases against thousands of Gorkhas. All those cases will be withdrawn as soon as the BJP forms its government. All will get justice. The BJP government will end the new trend of crackdown on protest movements in democracy which was started by the Communists and was followed by the TMC.”
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who also addressed a rally in North Bengal, blamed the TMC for playing divisive politics in the name of religion. He said at Karandighi in North Dinajpur, “Should the law and Constitution run as per the whims of Mamata? 15 years have passed. Still instead of development, Bengal witnessed destruction and has been reduced to vote-bank politics, which includes benefits on the basis of religion.”
Ms Banerjee, meanwhile, attacked the BJP from her campaign rally at Islampur in North Dinajpur. Targeting Nirmala Sitharaman, she alleged: “The Union finance minister is distributing cards that don’t carry names. These cards will be cancelled later. They are transferring money to bank accounts. I will appeal to the Election Commission to take strong action against her.”
She also claimed: “At Dum Dum Airport, Central forces came near my vehicle. I told them to check my vehicle. If all TMC leaders’ vehicles are checked, why should the vehicles of the Prime Minister and Union home minister be spared? Central forces’ vehicles should also be checked. Will only the TMC be targeted? Union ministers are transporting cash in Central forces’ vehicles. What is going on in this country? If you have the guts, check my vehicle every day. We are not looters like the BJP.”
