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Pranab rules out division of West Bengal

July 20, 2009 09:03 IST

Union Finance Minister and West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Pranab Mukheree on Sunday ruled out any further division of West Bengal.

"There is no question of any further division of Bengal," Mukherjee told reporters when asked about the indefinite bandh in the Darjeeling Hills by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha, demanding the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland.

The minister said no problem could be solved by force and hoped that the GJM would call off its indefinite bandh in the Darjeeling Hills.

"The Centre has called for tripartite talks with the GJM and the West Bengal government to discuss the demands made by the GJM on August 24," he said.

"I hope that the GJM would participate in the talks to sort out the problems," Mukherjee added.

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