At Friday’s meeting — held to look for a mutually-agreeable solution for the crisis in the Hills — Bhattacharjee, however, agreed to a tripartite meet with the Centre, provided the Morcha leadership formalised a particular agenda with the state. “That would make the meeting with the central Home ministry meaningful,” Bhattacharjee said.

The 30-minute meeting was attended by GJM leaders Amar Lama, Anmol Prasad and Raju Pradhan among others. Lama said, “The chief minister wanted to give us more financial and administrative powers. We have not come for more power or money. We want a tripartite meeting on the creation of Gorkhaland.”

However, with the state government unrelenting on their demand, Lama said, “The central government told us to talk to the state as it will facilitate the tripartite talks. We look forward to that meeting.” GJM leaders also said the decision to bring back the bandhs in the upper regions will be taken soon by the party.

Meanwhile, Bhattacharjee remained stoic on the issue: “I asked them to stop demanding a separate state. We have lived together for many years, and we should continue to do so. We can give them more administrative powers but we should reach a consensus within the framework of the Constitution.” The state government can prepare for the tripartite talks in Delhi, he added, so that the doors for a “negotiated settlement” can be kept open in the future.