Gorkha Janamukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung, who is currently in hiding, has asserted that the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state is "still alive" in the Darjeeling Hills and that he continues to be the president of the party.
His assertion comes in the face of claims by main political parties in the region - the BJP and the TMC - that the statehood demand is not a political issue in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
The issue this time is development, the spokesmen of the parties had said.
Speaking to PTI from an undisclosed place in Darjeeling, Gurung said Wednesday, "We see every election as a step towards reaching our goal (of statehood). This election is very important as it will send a resounding message to the rest of the country that the people of Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars areas have not given up their demand for a Gorkhaland state."
Exuding confidence that "our candidate will win with a convincing margin," he asserted, "I am still the GJM president."