Women should lead the hills, says GTA chief Anit Thapa

EOI, DARJEELING, MARCH 8, 2023  :  On the occasion of International Women's Day, Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha president Anit Thapa said women should lead the hills to give a new perception to politics and bring about a holistic change.

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration organized a programme at the Gorkha Rangmanch Bhawan to celebrate International women's Day.

"Right now politics in the hills is mired and hazy. There is ego among different political parties and leaders which is harming the region and people's interests. I feel women's perception of things can bring about a change not only in the society but also in politics," said Thapa. 

Thapa who is also the Chief Executive Officer of GTA, said it was imperative to retrospective. 

"We have to retrospective where we have reached and where we need to go further. I request the women of the hills to take the lead in politics because they have a major role to play," he said. 

Thapa said although he had managed to bring about a change and restore peace and stability in the hills after the 2017 agitation, there was something missing yet. 

"We still lack something. I have worked and continue to pursue my vision. But I don't think anything concrete has been achieved. I continue to get trolled which though does not affect me," he said. 

Following the 2017 statehood movement, Thapa pledged support to the Trinamool Congress -led West Bengal government and managed to lead the GTA. With the State Government announcing its decision to hold the panchayat election in the hills after two decades, Thapa's request to the women to join politics gains significance, political observers pointed out. 

"Rural areas, especially the tea gardens which comprise the bulk of the hill population, employ women in majority. It makes sense and is a smart move by Thapa to tap the sentiments of the women folk to influence voting in the upcoming panchayat election," said one observer.

During the event, the GTA felicitated women from different spheres of the society engaged in various fields of work which was followed by cultural song and dance and a short play performance.