Protest has been going on in Darjeeling to demand a separate Gorkhaland state (File)
Trinamool Congress or TMC legislator Paresh Pal today shouted at three Gorkha Janmukti Morcha or GJM legislators and told them to "go back to Darjeeling" when they were in the West Bengal assembly to cast their votes in the presidential election. The GJM is
leading a protest to demand a separate Gorkhaland state carved out of West Bengal.
"Why have you all come here? Go back to Darjeeling. You people want a separate state and are maligning our government. Go to your hills and cast your vote there," Mr Pal told the three GJM legislators - Saritha Rai, Rohit Sharma and Amar Singh Rai.
A shutdown called by the GJM in Darjeeling entered the 33rd day today.
When state BJP president and legislator Dilip Ghosh tried to speak with Ms Rai, Mr Pal accused Mr Ghosh of trying to manipulate voters and violating the code of conduct.
"I don't want to make any comment. It's for the people of the state to decide," Ms Rai said.
Mr Ghosh said the TMC legislator's comment shows "the frustration of the TMC government and their MLAs". "It is not a way to behave with an elected MLA and that too inside the state assembly," the BJP legislator said.
Mr Pal said he did "nothing wrong". "I will repeat it thousand times if needed," he said.