High Court asks state to reconsider GTA poll plan

SNS, SILIGURI/DARJEELING, 19 MAY 2022 : The Calcutta High Court today directed the Trinamool Congress state government to reconsider its decision to conduct elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). 

According to sources the High Court has issued such a direction in light of the Supreme Court order asking to decide on the question of legality of the semi-autonomous body and the GTA Act 2011 before going for the elections.

Reacting to the judgement of the High Court, Darjeeling's BJP MP Raju Bista said: "I welcome the intervention made by the Calcutta High Court today, asking the West Bengal government to reconsider its decision to conduct elections to the GTA, taking into view the Supreme Court order questioning the legality/vires of the GTA Act 2011."  

According to Mr Bista, hearing the writ petition filed against the GTA elections today, the High Court Bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha directed the state to reconsider the decision to hold the elections, and to "prevent wastage of huge amount of public resources."

The matter has been posted for further hearing on 21 June sources said.

"This is a vindication of people of Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars who have strong reservations against the GTA. The BJP and our alliance partners have always been vocal about the legality of the GTA and its unconstitutional existence,' Mr Bista said.

He further claimed that GTA was formed to appease only two sections of the people-"politicians and contractors.

GTA has never represented or attempted to fulfill the aspirations of the people collectively. GTA has failed in every aspect and yielded in big zeros in development, employment generation, public services and even on the issue of accountability and political empowerment," he added.

In a democracy, people's will is paramount, and no political party should be allowed to impose their one sided decision on the people. We have full faith in our judiciary and we know, at the end, Satyameva Jayate," Mr Bista, who is also the BJP's national spokesperson, said, adding, "I would request the state government to stop disregarding people's voices, and listen to the advice given by the High Court and stop all attempts at conducting elections to the GTA forcefully.

Instead, they should attend the ongoing tripartite talks with an open mind to ensure expedited process for ensuring Permanent Political Solution for our region."

Mr Bista further requested the people to "not be fazed by the political maneuverings of a few sell-outs who are trying to assist the West Bengal Govt in forceful implementation of the GTA"

Mr Bista also assured the people that he would ensure a constitutionally guaranteed Permanent Political Solution for the region.

Sources said a Writ petition was filed by the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) against the plans to conduct the GTA elections.

"The president of the GNLF Mann Ghishing was present in the court as he was the main petitioner of the present case," Darjeeling's MLA Neeraj Zimba said.