The Gorkha Mukti Morcha (GJM) has agreed to allow local elections to be held in Darjeeling district.

ENS- In a change of stand, the Gorkha Mukti Morcha (GJM) has agreed to allow local elections to be held in Darjeeling district.

The GJM was earlier adamant on not allowing local polls till the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration’s (GTA) territory was determined.

The dates for the municipal elections were declared on Tuesday with the State Election Commission issuing a notification to ths effect. Civic polls to the four Hill municipalities — Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik — are slated for December 11.

But the joint verification committee is not likely to submit its report on the inclusion of 400 mouzas from Terai and the Dooars region into the GTA till the end of January.

“We had some political compulsion because of which we changed our stand and allowed the elections to be held. But we have made it clear that we will never allow the elections to the GTA until its territory is determined and the high-power committee submits its report,” said a senior member of the GJM central committee. 
The member said the GJM is disappointed with the pace of the joint verification committee.

“It was formed in July. More than three months have passed and the committee has met just once. We are not aware when the next meeting of the joint verification committee will be held and it is sitting on the survey,” he added.

GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said the government requested them to allow the civic elections in Darjeeling. 

“For the sake of the development in Darjeeling, we have agreed to allow the elections here. We will also take part in the elections.”

But though Giri declared that the GJM will take part, the other parties are still indecisive. The GJM and other Hill parties met the district magistrate to discuss the elections.