Say No to GTA- An Appeal -- MP Lama Together We Win, Achieve and Prosper

Mahendra P Lama, KalimNews, Kalimpong, 26 May 21 : The State Legislative Assembly election in West Bengal is just over that gave massive and unprecedented mandate to Trinamul Congress led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Madame Mamata Banerji. Bharatiya Janata Party led by Hon’ble Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi has for the first time emerged as the main and only Opposition Party in the State Assembly.  Both these developments are historic for the people of Darjeeling and Dooars and bring forth a gigantic opportunity. 

On the other hand,  Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts have since last two decades, witnessed one of the darkest periods in their history. Both the models of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (1988-2007) and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (2012 onwards) have failed to safeguard and promote the interest of the people of Darjeeling hills. Both DGHC and GTA proved to be institutions without any substantive power and authority and very poor in development planning and delivery.  They did not have Annual Budget and Annual Plan Document. Both were provided as a kind of solution to the protracted, fierce and violent agitation demanding the separate state of Gorkhaland for the people of Darjeeling district, Terai and Dooars. Both these movements demonstrated massive participation of the people and a large number of them quietly sacrificed their precious lives too.  

The separate state is for all communities and ethnic groups that have varied religious beliefs, languages, socio-cultural practices and politico-economic structures in this naturally most endowed region.  

Before the Assembly Elections in 2021 both BJP and Trinamul Congress have assured permanent political solution (PPS) to the demand for a separate state comprising of Darjeeling Hills, Terai and the Dooars region. In addition, both these parties have made plethora of far reaching economic, social, cultural and institutional promises for this region.  

Therefore, this is the most opportune time for the eminent leaders of both Trinamul Congress and BJP to demonstrate that they are profound statesmen, liberal democrats and astute supporters of peace, stability, development and national unity. This moment of immediate post election situation in West Bengal provides both BJP and Trinamul Congress to really think about and implement the permanent political solution (PPS) they have in mind. This will ensure durable peace, stability, development of the region at large and political identity of the Indian Gorkhas. All these are very critical for a geographic region characterized by four international borders and for our nation’s core national security interest. This will also usher in new vistas of opportunities and political atmosphere of peace, harmony and development in the State of West Bengal. 

What do the Janata do now ? 

1  Therefore, all the people in Darjeeling and Kalimpong Districts must “Say No to GTA” till the PPS is extended to the people of Hills, Terai and Dooars. It is natural for some political parties and leaders to show willingness to accept the ineffective GTA once again. We appeal to all the political parties and the leaders to remain away from GTA even if there are offers, incentives and other attractions.

2  As discussed before the Assembly Election in 2021, the people of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, Terai and also Dooars shall all now come to a common platform called Peoples Forum for PPS (PF-PPS) to negotiate the permanent political solution.  

3  Let all the Members of Parliament and  Members of the Legislative Assembly from this compact region along with the leaders of various political parties,  representatives of the socio-cultural-education institutions, chambers of commerce and industry, professional bodies, youths, public intellectuals, media, trade unions and civil society come together to this Peoples Forum of PPS (PF-PPS).  

4  No individual or a single political party based negotiation should happen anymore. In the last decades this model of one party and one leader going for negotiation has failed. Let it be a collective negotiation team. 

5 Let PF-PPS primarily led by the Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly negotiate with the Union Government and the State Government the details of permanent political situation within a definite time frame of six months.  

6  Since the Peoples Forum for PPS will have the representatives of all the core bodies and institutions, any durably handsome solution coming out of these collective negotiations should be acceptable to the people of Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars. 

7   Let us circulate this way forward note in all the social media and other print and electronic media platforms for larger participation of all the stakeholders seeking a permanent solution to peoples’ aspiration. 

(Press release of Prof. Mahendra P Lama, Civil Society Member - Darjeeling on 25 May 2021 )