West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared Kalimpong as 21st district of the state on Tuesday. The Lepcha dominated district was carved out of Darjeeling.
Darjeeling and Kalimpong along with Kurseong and Silliguri are part of Gorkhaland for which the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha has been demanding a separate statehood.
“Today is the Kalimpong day,” Mamat said and added that “the long cherished dream of the people of Kalimpong has become a reality.”
The GJM played it safe, saying they would also like Kalimpong as another district.
“We had supported separate district for Kalimpong as it was one of the largest subdivision in India. But it will remain a part of the GTA (Gorkha Territorial Administration) as per the tripartite deal between the central government, state government and the GJM,” said Roshan Giri, second-in-command of the GJM.
It is learnt that Mamata would conduct civic election in GTA areas, which had been pending for long. Though she could not have any say on the GTA, by constructing civic bodies under the state government, she would like to have full control in Darjeeling hills.
