In a U-turn, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Sunday said it was withdrawing its proposal for an interim set-up, scheduled to be taken up at the next tripartite meeting, and wanted a separate state.
GJM chief Bimal Gurung told a rally at a school campus, 5 km from Darjeeling, that they
would henceforward carry on movement for a separate state which would be known as the 'Gorkha-Adivasi Parishad' and not Gorkhaland.
In an obvious attempt to enlist support of the estranged adivasis who are opposed to the creation of a separate state encompassing Dooars and Terai where they are a majority, Gurung said they would no longer press for an interim set-up which the West Bengal government and the Centre were insisting upon.
GJM-supported Darjeeling MP Jaswant Singh said that the hill people's long-standing dream of a separate state was nearing fulfilment.
"Ever since I became an MP from the region, I have taken the hill people's dream to Parliament," Singh said.
He, however, appealed to the people to keep their movement peaceful.
Gurung also told the rally that the GJM's proposed 10-day Darjeeling bandh from June 12 had been withdrawn.
GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said his organisation had no hand, direct or indirect, in the murder of All India Gorkha League chief Madan Tamang and demanded a CBI inquiry to find out those responsible.