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At the talks among the Centre, the state government and the GJM, West Bengal will be represented by state’s Urban Development Minister Ashok Bhattacharya, Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra and Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen. Congress Legislative Party leader in the Assembly, Manas Bhuinya, today said the CM cannot skip such a key meeting.
“Why is he (CM) sending the health minister and the municipal affairs minister? Is it a problem related to health or urban development? As the CM or the home minister, Buddhadeb should be present at the meeting,” said Bhuinya.
CPM sources, however, said since Bhattacharya has been involved with the issue, he is suited for the job. Mishra is a CPM Central Committee member, who is authorised to take a decision on the spot, which Bhattacharya cannot.
Meanwhile, Bhattacharya said the state government could offer more autonomy for the area comprising the three sub-divisions of Darjeeling but not statehood. “It will be more autonomy and no statehood for the hills,” said the minister, who was briefed by the CM.
While welcoming the climb-down of the GJM, state government said other demands made by the Morcha were not acceptable. “They demanded things like the power of making legislation on all subjects including law and order. They also demand a separate judiciary. These are absurd. Everything, however, can be discussed,” Bhattacharya said.
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