Anit Thapa: Only Centre can decide on Gorkhaland : GTA works under the state and under rules, this is all we can do from GTA as it is not a political party, says GTA chief

GTA works under the state and under rules, this is all we can do from GTA as it is not a political party, says GTA chief

GTA chief Anit Thapa and Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb inaugurate the GTA help desk at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday: Passang Yolmo

TT  Correspondent   |   Siliguri   |    12.01.23 : Anit Thapa, the chief executive of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, took a dig at some hill political leaders opposing him and spoke on the statehood issue on Wednesday.

“We have passed a resolution at the GTA on Gorkhaland and have sent it to the state government. The state will have to take it up with the Centre. The GTA works under the state and under the rules, this is all we can do from GTA as it is not a political party,” said Thapa on the sidelines of an event held at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital on the outskirts of Siliguri.

“Some people in the hills are shouting over the issue of Gorkhaland. Political parties can do anything on the demand but they must remember that it is the elected MPs and others at the Centre who can meet the demand,” Thapa, who heads the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, said.

His assertion comes a day after hill leaders Binay Tamang and Ajoy Edwards reached the GTA headquarters at Lal Kothi in Darjeeling and submitted a memorandum to know the progress of the resolution passed on Gorkhaland by the GTA.

“We have not misguided people and ahead of the GTA polls didn’t ask for votes on the agenda of Gorkhaland. Our aim is development and restoring peace and democracy in the hills, and we are working on it with peoples’ support,” said Thapa.

He was also critical of Tamang, Edwards and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung. Recently, these three leaders were seen together at some political events hosted in the hills and also Delhi, which led to murmurs in political circles that there could be a new political alignment.

“Did these people meet with each other earlier? They are simply doing it to counter our party. Such acts will not work as they have inner differences.  The GTA election was tough for us and we won it. We are confident of winning the upcoming elections,” said the BGPM president.

There are indications that panchayat elections would be held in the hills this year after over 20 years. The Lok Sabha polls are due next year.

In another development, the division bench in the Jalpaiguri circuit bench of Calcutta High Court dismissed a petition filed by Hamro Party against the process by which BGPM tabled no-confidence against the chairman of Darjeeling municipality.

Thapa said the chairman’s election would be held on January 16.