Gorkhaland movement not at the cost of disturbances in the hills: Anit Thapa

EOI, DARJEELING, JUNE 30, 2022 : The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha has said that the new board in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Sabha, after its formation, would pass a resolution for the creation of a separate state of Gorkhaland. 

On Thursday, the BGPM organized a victory rally from Kurseong that ended in the Chowrasta in Darjeeling. 

BGPM president Anit Thapa who contested in two seats from Kurseong and won said Gorkhaland would always remain in the hearts and minds of the Gorkha community. "As soon as we form the board, in the very first meeting we will pass a resolution on Gorkhaland. We will send it to the Union and the West Bengal government for implementation," he said. 

For the 45 constituencies of the GTA, the BGPM had contested in 35 seats, leaving 10 to the Trinamool Congress, its alliance partner. The BGPM won 26 and the Trinamool 5 seats. 

Anit Thapa, however, stressed that movement for Gorkhaland should not at the cost of disturbances in the hills. 

"We will take up the statehood demand, but it will not disturb education, tea gardens and tourism," he said. 

The education and tourism sectors along with the tea gardens had to bear the brunt of the statehood agitation over the years along with loss of lives, he said; the latest being the 104 days' strike in 2017. "I henceforth pledge to take the responsibility of maintaining peace and stability in the hills," said Thapa. The BGPM leader said there were several problems plaguing the hills that needed to be addressed, among which holding of the panchayat election was of utmost important. 

"Two elections have been held very peacefully. Now, we will prepare for the panchayat election. I will take up the issue with the West Bengal government. People living in rural areas are facing tremendous problems," said Thapa. 

Election to the grampanchayat which is the only tier in the hills have not been held since 2004. Mindful of the allegations of the opposition of corruption and nepotism, the BGPM leader who is expected to helm the GTA asserted such things would be things of the past. "Today, I tell my party leaders and supporters that this time, I will not tolerate any 'me' first than others' attitude," said Thapa. 

The BGPM may have won by a comfortable majority, but it has also faced a couple of setbacks and a narrow loss. Party general secretary, Amar Lama who was pipped for the post of the GTA chairman lost to the Hamro Party candidate from the Sadar 2 constituency. Like wise, Alok Kant Mani Thulung, the Darjeeling sub-division president, lost to an independent candidate from the Tukvar constituency. In the Glenburn-Takdah constituency, BGPM candidate Pulok Moktan lost to Hamro Party candidate Sunny Tamang by only two votes.