West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday met with Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at the North Bengal Secretariat almost a year after Banerjee accused the Chamling government of creating trouble in West Bengal’s Darjeeling.
Banerjee had then criticised the Sikkim chief minister and accused him of giving shelter to Gorkha Janamukti Morcha leader, Bimal Gurung, who has been facing terror charges from the West Bengal government.
The meeting on Friday was held to sort out differences. And sources said the meeting was held at the request of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Due to bad relations between two neighbouring states, business has suffered the most. Much of the food items come to Sikkim through West Bengal, while Sikkim is the biggest supplier of medicinal plants in West Bengal as most of the drug companies have their manufacturing units in Bengal. Tourism in both the states also suffered due to the bitter relationship.
“At this, Rajnath Singh decided to break the ice. Under his guidance, both the states came together,” said a BJP MP.
Both Banerjee and Chamling called the meeting a landmark.
“We have discussed all the issues and in future if there is any disagreement, it would be sorted out over discussion,” said Banerjee on Friday after the meeting.
Chamling also sounded optimistic and in fact admitted to the sharp differences he had.
“All issues and misunderstanding, if there were any, that had cropped up between Sikkim and West Bengal government, will be things of the past. All matters stand resolved,” said Chamling in a note.
“We have agreed on providing full cooperation to each other, and giving support for progress and prosperity of our respective states. We have decided to work together for the development of Sikkim and West Bengal in the days to come,” said the Sikkim chief minister.
Incidentally, on Friday, the Supreme Court turned down the petition of Gurung against an investigation being carried out by the West Bengal police. Gurung had gone to the Supreme Court against the UAPA section slapped by the police.
Police said after the court’s ruling on Friday, Gurung’s arrest would be a mater of time.
Interestingly, the Sikkim government earlier opposed the crackdown in Darjeeling by West Bengal government and allegedly gave shelter to Gurung for some time. However, later, Gurung travelled to Nepal and he is suspected to be in Nepal now. A month back, he had appeared in Delhi after breather of Supreme Court,which issued an order not to arrest him till the final order of the court.