Date:13/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/13/stories/2008071355091000.htm

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GJM to await outcome of confidence vote

Special Correspondent

Before tripartite talks are held

KOLKATA: Two days after West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil seeking tripartite talks to end the political stalemate in the Darjeeling hills, the Gorkha Janamutki Morcha said it would wait for “stability” to return at the Centre before discussions were initiated.

Stability first

“We would rather wait until there is stability at the Centre before the tripartite talks are held. Let us see the fate of the confidence motion the government intends bringing in in Parliament. We want the involvement of a stable government in the discussions,” GJM president Bimal Gurung told The Hindu over telephone from Darjeeling on Friday.

“Responsible gesture”

Mr. Gurung, however, welcomed the “prompt decision of the Chief Minister to move the Centre for tripartite discussions following our request to him.” His “gesture is a responsible one.”

The GJM has been asking for tripartite talks, involving the Centre, where it will place its demand for creation of a Gorkhaland State, to be carved out of Darjeeling district and by including certain areas contiguous to it.

Mr. Gurung hinted that the GJM could sit for talks with the State government once the tripartite talks, “where we shall place our political agenda,” were held.