TMC to back BGPM GTA Sabha from outside' Chief minister Mamata Banerjee likely to attend oath-taking ceremony

REZA PRADHAN, SNS, DARJEELING, 6 JULY 2022: The Trinamul Congress (HilLs) has decided to support 'from outside' the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) as the latter forms the Sabha in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

As state minister Aroop Biswas announced this today, political observers in the Hills said the move was a clear message that the state government would not interfere in the functioning of the semi-autonomous body in the Hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Mr Biswas made the announcement during a press conference in Kolkata today after BGPM president Anit Thapa's meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

"Our party will extend support to Anit Thapa from outside. The CM has always worked for the development of the hills and we will continue to do so in the coming days also. Whoever the party decides as the GTA Chairman, the TMC will be supporting him from outside, as we want proper development in the region," said Mr Biswas. 

From the 45 seats in that went to the polls, the chair BGPM managed to win a majority by bagging 27. With three in dependent Sabashad-elects joining the party yesterday, the BGPM's tally has gone up to 30.

On the other hand, Mr Thapa said, "In the GTA, there is no employment exchange, School Service Commission, College Service Commission, among other things, even

though education is a transferred subject. Our entire system has collapsed and improving it will only ensure development."

"The previous GTA chief executive only wasted time fighting with the government.

I have established a good relationship with the government and now I expect the government to improve the system like activating the Sub-Ordination Selection Board, implementing the Regional SSC and other things.

The people have voted for a person who is in favour of the state government, and now it is time for the government to set the GTA right," Mr Thapa added.

Asked about the pre-poll alliance with the TMC and the ruling party in the state winning some seats in the GTA, he said, "I will move ahead balancing everyone that has won in the 45 seats in the GTA. They have won the mandate of the people and I must respect them." Mr Thapa also maintained that he has invited the CM to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the GTA Sabha, "to which she has agreed."