Darjeeling, June 10: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has refused its one-time ally, the CPRM, permission to use vehicles to leave the hills for Calcutta where the party has scheduled an agitation programme to press for statehood. As a result, 122 CPRM members started for Siliguri on foot from Ghoom railway station around 7am today.

The two parties were till a few days ago known as brothers in arms in their struggle for statehood — the CPRM had openly supported the Morcha — and the move denying permission has only exposed the widening rift.

“There is no way we could defer the programme. The Morcha is demanding Gorkhaland in Darjeeling and we, too, wanted to raise the same issue in Calcutta,” said D.K. Bomzom, the spokesperson for CPRM.

The CPRM has lined up dharnas and rallies in Calcutta on June 12 and 13 and it supporters were scheduled to leave for the state capital tomorrow. Since no vehicles were available, the CPRM team started for Siliguri today itself.

“By the time we reached Rangbul-Sonada, the number of supporters swelled to 170,” said Sekhar Chhetri, the chief of the CPRM’s youth wing who is heading the delegation, over the phone from Rangbul, 20km from here.

The CPRM contingent is confident of covering the 65km stretch between Ghoom and Siliguri by late evening. The party, however, made it clear that it had “no hard feelings” towards the Morcha for its decision. “However since all of us are focused on achieving Gorkhaland, it is time we set aside petty issues,” said Bomzon.

Binay Tamang, the spokesperson for the Morcha, said he was not aware of the issue. Chhetri, on the other hand claimed, that the CPRM had requested Morcha president Bimal Gurung for permission last evening. “He said permission could not be given as the Morcha has decided to stop even army vehicles from plying in the hills,” said Chhetri.