Anit focus on hill culture on party foundation day

Vivek Chhetri, TT, 9 September 2023, Kalimpong: Anit Thapa, president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), appeared to soft-pedal his campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls on Saturday at his party's third foundation clay at Kalimpong, by saying the BGPM's main thrust would be to safeguard the culture and tradition of the hills.

"The hills have their own culture and tradition. They celebrate Navami and Phu1pati in their own way. Our main priority now will be to save our culture and tradition," Thapa told the gathering at Mela Ground.

The reference to Navami, a Hindu festival, was an indication by Thapa that the BJP was appropriating this festival for political gains.

"If we save our culture and tradition, we can save our land, " said Thapa.

"We have Opposition in the hills but it is just a difference of opinion among brothers," said Thapa, stressing regionalism must be protected in the hills.

The BGPM managed to sweep the panchayat elections winning 103 of the 112 gram panchayat boards across Darjeeling hills.

Observers, however, maintain that voting patterns are different for Lok Sabha and local polls. The BJP has been winning the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat since 2009.

The BJP, however, is under pressure as it has neither come up with a "permanent political solution" for the hills, nor accorded Scheduled Tribe status to 11 hill communities so far, despite these being its promises in its 2019 poll manifesto.

Thapa also tried to soothe ruffled feathers over tea land issues and declared that he would fight for the granting of land rights of the entire area a settler in a garden possessed.

On August 1, the state government issued a notification to provide land rights up to 5 decimals in tea gardens.

There is growing opposition to the 5 decimal cap. Many want rights for the entire land that the people already possess.

"A leader is someone who understands the aspirations of the people and works for them. I understand that many people are not happy with the present provision. I will take up this issue with the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee)," said Thapa.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph

https://epaper.telegraphindia.com/north%20bengal/2023-09-10/72/Page-7.html