Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong,8th April

Following the latest development in Darjeeling politics which saw no mention of creation of Gorkhaland in the BJP manifesto that was released yesterday, has prompted the Darjeeling Development United Development Foundation (DDUDF) that is backing independent candidate Prof. Mahendra P.Lama to be critical along with the other pro-Gorkhaland forces.
Speaking to media persons here today, Dr. Enos Das Pradhan the DDUDF apex committee president
criticized the BJP’s dual politics. “The party is asking votes in the name of Gorkhaland but it has not mentioned in the manifesto. Are they playing with the sentiments of the people here?
We condemn this act of the BJP. The BJP should clear their stand on the issue before asking votes”. The BJP candidate S.S. Ahluwalia who is also the BJP National Vice President is being backed by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on the
basis that it will create Gorkhaland after it comes to power at the centre. The CPRM views the BJP’s act not serious.
“The party has never serious with the demand of the hill people. It was a predicated development as we knew that it would not put in the manifesto. Ahluwalia when approached us were not confident about putting the demand in the manifesto,” said J.B. Rai, the CPRM vice president. The CPRM too is backing Dr. Lama for the Darjeeling parliamentary seat.