GJM pitches for hills' representation in Rajya Sabha

Kolkata, March 24 (IANS) The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which Saturday met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asked for representation from the Darjeeling Hills in the Rajya Sabha.

"We have told the chief minister that there should be representation from the hills when there will be vacancies in Rajya Sabha from West Bengal next time," GJM president Bimal Gurung said after the meeting.

Before the Rajya Sabha election, the GJM had asked Banerjee that it be given a seat from the state. But Banerjee refused and the GJM showed their resentment by announcing boycott of the polls. However, there was no need for the election as all the five candidates from state were declared elected unopposed.

The GJM and Banerjee discussed several key issues regarding the implementation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration which, when brought into effect, will pave the way for the autonomy of the region.

Gurung said the elections for the new hill council will be held by July but not before the Justice Shyamal Sen committee which has been set up by state government to ascertain the jurisdiction of GTA submits its report on the issue of inclusion of Dooars and Terai areas.