"Please remember this is not a party programme, this is a government programme. I am very rough and tough on such issues," a visibly angry Banerjee said with GJM President Bimal Gurung sitting beside her on the dais as GJM workers shouted slogans and held up posters for Gorkhaland.
"You are free to give political slogans at party programmes, but this is a government programme and such slogans cannot be raised here," Banerjee said.
"Please do not give a wrong message so that people think Darjeeling again has a problem," Banerjee said.
"Let us remain together, Darjeeling is part of Bengal and we will remain together," she emphasised.
Referring to the previous Left Front government's alleged failure to ensure development in Darjeeling and failure of the then chief minister visiting the hills, Banerjee said, "If Darjeeling remains peaceful, development work will continue and employment will be generated."
Gurung, the Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Authority, told a press conference later "I also want Gorkhaland. But our relations with the West Bengal government will remain cordial."
Stating that he disapproved of GJM workers raising Gorkhaland slogans when the chief minister stated that Darjeeling was an inseparable part of the state, he said the GJM workers were angry as Telengana was likely to be declared a separate state and the hill party's demand went back 105 years. (MORE)
