Subash Ghisingh: Leading the way?

Darjeeling, May 25: The central committee of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha was till today unaware of Bimal Gurung’s demand to dissolve the DGHC.

So long, this brand of politics was associated with Subash Ghisingh alone: the GNLF chief was known to take decisions on his own without consulting his party members. “Now, it seems to have trickled into the Morcha as well,” said a political observer.

Soon after the Morcha president made the announcement in Siliguri, The Telegraph contacted a number of central committee leaders, who expressed surprise at being left out of the latest development. Most of the leaders denied having any knowledge about the announcement, even after it was made.

Roshan Giri, the general secretary of the Morcha, said: “The central committee will definitely endorse the resolution. After all, our party president has announced the same thing in the news conference. This council is becoming a hindrance in attaining statehood.”

The demand to dissolve the council would have serious ramifications as about 8,000 employees have been working with the DGHC on a six-month contract for the past 20 years.

With no council in place, these people would be left job-less, as they are not state government employees.

Since the DGHC also looks after schools, where there are about 800 contract teachers, and hospitals, dissolving the council would virtually bring the public services to a standstill.

Till a few weeks ago, the Morcha had been demanding permanent job status for the council workers. Most of these employees are now Morcha supporters.

The DGHC currently has Rs 121 crore lying in its exchequer and this might go back unutilised, affecting development work.

Giri, however, said: “Nothing is important to us other than Gorkhaland.”

A council employee said it would be difficult to fight for Gorkhaland in empty stomach.