Gorkha National Liberation Front

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Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) is a political party in northern West Bengal, India, formed in 1980. It is led by Subash Gishing.

During the 1980s the GNLF led an intensive and often violent campaign for the creation of a separate Gorkha state in the Nepali-speaking areas in northern West Bengal. The movement reached its peak around 1985-1986.

On the 22 August 1988 GNLF signed the Darjeeling Hill Accord. The treaty meant the creation of a Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, whilst GNLF would give up the demand for Gorkhaland.

The G.N.L.F. flag.
The G.N.L.F. flag.


In the year 2000 GNLF revived the demand for Gorkhaland in their political agitation.

In the state assembly elections in West Bengal in 2001 GNLF had put up five candidates, out of whom three got elected. In total the party received 190 057 votes.

GNLF boycotted the Lok Sabha elections 1996, 1998 and 1999. Ahead of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections GNLF supported Congress candidate Dawa Narbula, who won with large margin in the Darjeeling constituency.

GNLF runs the Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council and Subhas Ghising is the chairman of the council.

The 6th schedule has been signed between the central government, the state government and GNLF also has a branch in Sikkim.