P Arjun. (Kundan Yolmo)

Feb. 18: The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha today suspended P. Arjun from the party’s study forum for extending his support to Mahendra P. Lama who is contesting as an Independent from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat.

The 14-member study forum was formed by the Morcha to advise the party on policy matters and Arjun was perceived to be close to GTA Sabha chief executive Bimal Gurung.

Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri today said: “The party has decided to suspend P. Arjun from the study forum. We would also like to make it very clear that the Morcha will not be supporting Mahendra P. Lama at any cost in the Lok Sabha election.”

Arjun, who had been appointed as the confidential assistant to the GTA chief, announced his support for Lama in Siliguri yesterday.

“Mahendra P. Lama is an academician and can work for all communities in this part of the country. He is a man with a vision and has served several important posts in state and central governments. I am still with the Morcha and have good relations with him (Lama). As an individual, I am supporting him and I believe he can work for the betterment of the region,” Arjun said.

Asked if Arjun was still the confidential assistant to Gurung, Giri said: “The appointment was political in nature and his term had ended when the chief executive had earlier resigned from the post. As of now (following Gurung’s reinstatement as the GTA chief), no one has been appointed as the CA.”