Gorkha People’s Liberation Front supporters block a road in Sukna on the outskirts of Siliguri during a strike. File picture

Kalimpong, Aug. 2: The Gorkhaland Task Force (GTF) has asked the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha to quit the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) and jointly fight for the next round of agitation for the demand of a separate state of Gorkhaland.

The GTF, which is a forum comprising anti-Morcha groups like the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisang, CPRM and ABGL who ABGL and GRNM, said the GTA was the biggest obstacle towards the formation of Gorkhaland, which is why they had always opposed the GTA.

“We welcome the resignation of Bimal Gurung as the chief executive of the GTA. However, the Morcha must completely reject the GTA and ask its executive members to quit the body en masse,” said Sukman Moktan, the national convenor of the GTF.

Stating that the GTF had always maintained that only a separate state of Gorkhaland would meet the aspirations of the Gorkhas of the country. Moktan said it was good that the Morcha and its affiliate organisations have today realised that the GTA was not the solution to the problem.

“All political parties must come together on one platform and unitedly fight for the common goal of Gorkahland,” he added.

Munish Tamang, the secretary of the GTF, said it was because of the efforts of the forum that leaders like former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati and former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Sangma have come out in support of Gorkhaland.

“We are very often asked as to what we have done to espouse the cause of Gorkhaland. Much before the Morcha came into existence we have been holding seminars and meeting national leaders cutting across party lines, chief ministers and presidents to seek their support for Gorkhaland. Even when the Morcha signed the GTA agreement we have steadfastly remained committed to Gorkhaland. The GTA is the biggest stumbling block in the way of Gorkhaland,” he said.

The GTF will soon hold a programme to burn the copies of the GTA agreement.

The forum,, of course has been observing July 18, the date on which the GTA agreement signed in 2011, by hoisting black flags.