Mamata Banerjee reaches Darjeeling hills after gap of 11 months

EOI, DARJEELING, NOVEMBER 11, 2024 : With winter yet to make its presence felt in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached the cool climes of Darjeeling on Monday amidst a warm welcome. Supporters of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM) and Trinamool Congress stationed themselves near the railway station in Kurseong and at the Gorkha Ranga Mancha Bhawan in Darjeeling, waving their respective party flags. Heads of the different development boards also assembled to cheer the Chief Minister.

At Kurseong, she was greeted near the railway station by BGPM president Anit Thapa, who is also the Chief Executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, along with his party supporters. Trinamool Congress supporters waited near the Tourist Lodge. The Chief Minister did not get down from her vehicle but waved back to the crowd with a smile.

In Darjeeling, the BGPM organized a welcome team composed of members of different ethnic groups in their traditional attire, playing musical instruments near Bhanu Bhawan. Supporters chanted, "We love you Didi, we need your blessings," as the Chief Minister got down from her vehicle and accepted flowers and traditional khadas.

After a brief stop, Mamata Banerjee then walked up to Richmond Hill, the West Bengal government guesthouse, while interacting with people who had gathered along the way. The CM will remain in Darjeeling for the next three days and leave for Siliguri on November 14.

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister will hold a meeting with GTA officials at Lal Kothi. This will be followed by another meeting with the heads of the different development boards. The Chief Minister is expected to take stock of the situation within the hill administration body and the development boards.

On Wednesday, Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the Saras Mela at Chowrasta. Usually, the Mela is inaugurated from Siliguri, but this is the first time it is being organized from Darjeeling. At Chowrasta, preparations are in full swing to give the final touches to the program venue and the stalls that will display traditional products of the hills.

The Chief Minister visited the hills last in December 2023, when she came up to Kurseong to attend a family wedding.