Tripartite talks on the Gorkhaland statehood issue today failed to reach an agreement with the Centre saying political consensus needed to be created on the demand by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which sought the next and fifth round of political-level dialogue within 45 days.
Union Home Secretary G K Pillai and West Bengal Chief Secretary Ashokmohan Chakravarty indicated that they would revert to the GJM within 45 days and would convey their respective position on that proposal.
But the very fact that the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state could be discussed at the 4th round of tripartite talks today has made the GJM leaders happy. They believe that with this they have been able to take one step forward towards their goal. GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, who was present in the meeting, said: “We are happy”.
Consequently, the GJM has decided to scale down their agitation programme from today onwards. The indefinite hunger strike is now off. From today, the outfit would continue with relay hunger strike at three hill sub-divisions and other places.
Pillai confirmed that the meeting indeed discussed the demand of Gorkhaland, adding the discussion was held in the background of the earlier announcement for the creation of a separate Telangana state in principle.
“We are aware of the background and had detailed discussions today with the state government representatives and GJM on various aspects of the formation of the Gorkhaland state and the issues involved,” Pillai said. But he pointed out, “there was no agreement at all on that, and that’s why suggestions have been offered to hold talks at the political level.”