Adopting a clear confrontationist approach towards Mamata Banerjee and her administration, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) President Bimal Gurung today projected himself as the "Chief Minister of the hills" and asserted that it’s his writ that runs in the area.
"She is showing her power. She is the Chief Minister of Bengal. Then, I am also the elected member (of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration or GTA), the Chief Minister of the hills,” Bimal Gurung said.
"if her coercive tactics run there (plains), then my coercive tactics run here (the hills)," he added.
Gurung’s remarks came on a day the army marched into Darjeeling after thousands of angry GJM activists indulged in arson and threw bombs and stones at police, injuring 15.
As many as 12,000 tourists were stranded in the hill station due to the violence.
Banerjee is now in Darjeeling, where her Cabinet met during the day.
It was the first time in 45 years that the Cabinet meeting was held in Darjeeling.
(With IANS inputs)
