Jaigaon, June 30: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today labelled the leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad stooges of the CPM after the pan-Indian body of tribal communities objected to the inclusion of the Terai and the Dooars in the new state demanded by the hill party.

“I do not know if the stand taken by the Parishad is endorsed by their all-India leadership or it is the CPM which is opposing the statehood by making these tribal leaders their front,” said Morcha media and publicity secretary Binay Tamang over the phone from Darjeeling.

Without naming anyone, Tamang said Morcha leaders have had talks with the Parishad’s top leaders in Calcutta recently. “Not only have they supported our demand, they have also promised to extend all help if required,” Tamang said.

The Parishad’s Bengal committee secretary, Birsa Tirkey, denied Tamang’s claim. “Let it be known that we have not had any talks with the Morcha in Calcutta and neither have we promised them any support.”