Despite Announcement, GJM Chief Gurung Dodges Public Appearance

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief had on 12 October said he will make a public appearance on 30 October.

Bimal Gurung

(Photo: PTI)

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung has refused to make a public appearance which was due on Monday, 30 October.

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri said in a WhatsApp group that Gurung had been advised not to make an appearance, as it might give the Bengal government a chance to interfere with his chances of the tripartite talks with the Centre, The Telegraph reported.

We have been informed that the dates for talk with the central government will be announced very soon.

Roshan Giri, Morcha general secretary

Earlier on Friday, The Telegraph had said that the Centre was looking to include both camps of the Morcha, involving the camps of both Gurung and Binay Tamang for the proposed tripartite talks, quoting an apolitical source in Delhi.

Giri further described the situation as "a critical juncture for the Gorkhaland movement".

Our President Shri Bimal Gurung has been advised not to make the proposed public appearance on 30 October, as it might give the state Government an opportunity and excuse to jeopardise the upcoming talks with the Centre. Respecting the advise, our President has agreed not to make the public appearance he had announced earlier.

Bimal Gurung has been on the run for the past few months. On 12 October, he had said, "I have decided to come out on 30 October, and people from Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Terai, Dooars have to hit the streets in lakhs."

(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT to find #PollutionKaSolution. Send in your suggestions to [e-mail] or WhatsApp @ [phone])