Ranchi, Apr 2: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Roshan Giri on Monday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of meddling in the day-to-day affairs of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.
“There is interference in the day-to-day functioning in the affairs of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration by her (Mamata Banerjee),” Giri told PTI here.
When asked to elaborate, he said, “Say, land is a transport subject. She came and she distributed the pattas. Tourism is under transport sector, but her interference was in that sector too.”
As per the agreement, he said the GTA should have an officer of the rank of Principal Secretary to the government of West Bengal, but the DM has been given additional charge.
“Soumitra Mohan, who happens to be a junior batch IAS officer, could not perform,” he claimed, adding, Mohan's posting was also one of the reasons for their strained relations with the state government.
“In this way, things didn't materialise, and relations with the state government did not go properly,” he said, adding, “So many things are yet to be transferred to the GTA”.
Expressing dissatisfaction at the chief minister's comments, he said, “Mamata Banerjee went to North Bengal Festival where she spoke against Gorkhaland, which had triggered anger among the people, and they protested.”
“And then she announced Lepcha Development Board, which is under Backward Class Welfare Department, which should be under the GTA. We want Lepcha Development Board under the GTA,” he said.
He, however, said the central government has been cooperative, and that the GJM has been holding rallies at government offices and in New Delhi for Gorkhaland. The agitation has entered the 64th day, he said.
Giri said he was here to meet Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren tomorrow to discuss an alliance with his party in the panchayat elections in Jalpaiguri, particularly in the Dooars region where a substantial section of tribals are residing.
