In a letter to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, state Congress president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi has expressed his willingess to participate in the meeting. He, however, added that it would have been better if the parties could hear the views of the agitating groups and try to dissuade them from their stand. Dasmunsi said this in a media conference in Kolkata on Saturday.

He made it clear that the Congress is against the division of the state and will oppose Gorkhaland in all circumstances. “The issue of granting more economic and other developmental powers to the people of the Hills can be discussed. There are also provisions for more legislative powers in the existing Sixth Schedule,” he added.

On the issue of Trinamool Congress not taking part in the proposed talks, Dasmunsi said it was improper on the part of the party not to attend the meeting by imposing preconditions. Criticising the chief minister for not taking adequate steps to contain the situation, Dasmunsi said: “I am sorry to say that the CM has failed to understand the ground reality of the situation. He is being guided by his party and I will ask him to act like a CM.”

Trinamool remains adamant
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee held the state government responsible for the Darjeeling crisis. She stuck to her stand of not attending the all-party meeting on June 17 without GJM leaders attending the same.

“The state government has failed to handle the Darjeeling situation. Years of neglect and corruption are responsible for the present agitation. Unless GJM is invited, we will not attend the all-party meeting. What is the use of the meeting if the agitators are not called? All of us need to hear their grievances first,” said Banerjee.