GTA polls: CPRM urges people to not cast vote

SNS, DARJEELING, 19 JUNE 2022 : The Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) today put up posters in Kalimpong against the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) elections, while also appealing to people to not cast their votes this time. Polling for the semi-autonomous body in the Hills is scheduled for 26 June.

'The GTA is an arrangement under Bengal. We have fought for separation from Bengal for many years now and we do not want such a body. First, we did not participate in the GTA elections as this is not a solution to the demand of the Gorkhas and this body cannot solve even small issues of the hills. We would like to appeal to the people not to vote," CPRM leader Mohan Poudel said.

"We have placed the demand for separation from Bengal many times with both the state and the central governments. Moreover, the people had already rejected this body with them burning a copy of the GTA agreement in 2017," he added.

The CPRM leader also said that the state government was forcefully trying to implement the GTA here by holding its election and that they condemned such a move.

"In October, a tripartite meeting was also held for a Permanent Political Solution in Delhi, with the second meeting yet to be called. By holding this election, the state government wants to show that people are not against it by using the vote percentage," he said, adding that this was a conspiracy against the Gorkha community.

The GTA elections to the 45 constituencies are scheduled to be held on June 26 followed by the announcement of the results on June 29th.

Apart from the CPRM, parties like the Gorkha National Liberation Front, Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha, Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Gorkha League are not contesting the elections. The GNLF has also filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court, challenging the legality of the GTA. The case is scheduled to be heard in the high court on June 21, which has left both political parties opposed to the GTA and the general public in a state of confusion.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), Trinamool Congress, Hamro Party, Communist Party of India Marxist and the Congress are contesting the polls, along with several Independent candidates.

The BGPM is contesting in 35 seats, the TMC in 10, Hamro Party in 45, the CPIM in 12 and the Congress in two seats.

A total of 277 candidates ate in the fray, among whom 177 are independent.