Gorkhaland Hope Flickers: Darjeeling Advocate Ends Hunger Strike After BJP MP's Letter
Promise of Progress? Political Tussle Heats Up as Assurance Meets Skepticism on Permanent Solution
After the BJP legislator wrote to the agitator on Sunday regarding his efforts to fulfill the party's promise of finding a "permanent political solution," or PPS, for the hills and awarding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to eleven Gorkha communities, a Darjeeling resident has ended his sporadic hunger strike near MP Raju Bista's residence at Matigara here.
The lawyer Birendra Rasaily had abstained from food since Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"I got a written explanation from the MP about the PPS and the ST status yesterday evening, which is the third day of the relay hunger strike. After Sunday, Rasaily didn't fast, but she withdrew her protest because she was happy with his response.
In his letter, Bista stated that he had been persistently bringing up the issues in the Lok Sabha and urging the Narendra Modi administration to keep its word.
"Bista is actively promoting these issues with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Tribal Affairs, as well as other pertinent departments, including the Prime Minister's office," the letter stated.
The Darjeeling MP's letter stated, "The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has initiated the tripartite dialogue due to persistent efforts; the details of which are already in the public domain and the process is currently ongoing."
The attorney has also received an assurance from Bista that he will keep everyone updated on any changes to those matters.
The MP and his letter drew criticism from the Darjeeling district committee leaders of the Trinamul Congress.
"The BJP won the last Lok Sabha election by making grandiose claims and promises that ultimately proved to be unfulfilled. They are now attempting to use these issues once more to get votes from the hill residents as the elections get closer. The Darjeeling (plains) district Trinamul spokesperson, Vedabrata Dutta, declared that the plan would not succeed this time.
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